In 2022, the regional education system is expected to be short of about 1,300 teachers compared to 2021. Based on the calculations of the Institute of Educational Policy (IVP), the number should rise to 3,500 teachers next year, and by 2025, it is estimated to grow to nearly 8,600.
The estimated additional demand for teachers reflects an increase in the number of pupils and an increase in the number of retiring teachers, according to the Education Ministry. "The estimate is based on the assumption that the attractiveness of the teaching profession will remain unchanged compared to 2020, and therefore the same proportion of graduates will enter schools. However, it is possible that the slow pace of valorisation of the last period will further reduce the expected real salaries of teachers in the future and the interest in the teaching profession will decrease, which will further exacerbate the shortage of teachers," the Education Ministry said.
The Ministry of Education does not have data on the number of teacher shortages at the regional level. "However, there are a number of indications that point to regional shortage problems in the education sector. According to data from the Labour, Social Affairs and Family Office on vacancies, schools in the Trnava and Bratislava regions show relatively more vacancies than schools in other parts of Slovakia," the ministry noted. However, it is not clear how much of a problem this causes for schools, nor how many places they end up failing to fill, or how many schools do not choose from among several candidates.
Data on the number of teacher shortages at subject level is not currently available to the Ministry of Education. Data on teaching qualifications and expertise is currently being compiled by the Ministry.
Source: TASR
