By Ebrima Mbaye
As the World Summit on Teachers (WST) kicks off on August 28–29, 2025, education leaders are sounding the alarm about a global teacher shortage that threatens the future of equitable education. Hosted by the Chilean government and convened by UNESCO, the summit aims to tackle what experts call an unprecedented crisis, with the world needing 50 million additional teachers by 2030 to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 for inclusive education.
UNESCO data paints a stark picture: sub-Saharan Africa faces the steepest challenge, requiring 15 million teachers, while Southern Asia needs 7.8 million. Even Europe and North America are grappling with a combined shortfall of nearly 5 million educators. The crisis is driven by soaring teacher resignations, which have doubled in some regions since 2015, fueled by stress, poor working conditions, and declining professional well-being.
David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International (EI), which represents 33 million education workers globally, emphasized the urgency. “This summit is our moment to transform the teaching profession,” he said. “We know the solutions: fair pay, job security, robust training, and a real voice for teachers in education policy. What’s missing is government commitment to fund and implement these changes.”
The summit comes as education systems worldwide resort to stopgap measures, such as hiring unqualified or minimally trained teachers to fill vacancies. This, experts warn, risks undermining the quality of education and perpetuating inequities, particularly in under-resourced regions.
Mugwena Maluleke, President of Education International, stressed that the crisis is not inevitable. “With political will and strategic investment, we can reverse this shortage,” he said. “The UN’s recommendations provide a clear roadmap. Now, governments must act.” The summit will culminate in the adoption of the Santiago Consensus on August 29, a multilateral agreement aimed at transforming the teaching profession and strengthening global education systems.
The stakes are high. Teachers are the backbone of public education, and their shortage threatens to derail progress toward equitable learning opportunities. “This isn’t just about numbers,” Edwards added. “Every child deserves a qualified, well-supported teacher in a robust public education system that empowers them to shape the future.”
As ministers, educators, and policymakers gather in Santiago, the world watches to see if governments will prioritize education with the urgency it demands. Observers note that the outcomes of the summit will signal whether public education is treated as a global priority or left as an unfulfilled aspiration. The Santiago Consensus could mark a turning point, but only if leaders translate commitments into concrete action.
With the clock ticking toward 2030, the summit underscores a critical truth: the future of education hinges on investing in teachers today. As discussions unfold, the global education community remains united in its call for bold, immediate steps to ensure no learner is left behind.
