By Ritika
A limited global pool of experienced educators, localisation targets and the lack of availability of teachers who can meet local regulatory and licensure standards are all adding to the GCC’s teacher shortage at a time when school numbers and student enrolments continue to rise
The GCC K-12 sector is experiencing a significant shortage of qualified, English-speaking teachers despite the region emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations for educators seeking overseas employment.
Recruiting qualified teachers continues to remain a pressing challenge for the GCC’s K-12 private sector, even as school numbers and student enrolments continue to rise. While teacher salaries have marginally increased, school managements are modifying certain benefits within compensation packages.
According to ISC Research, in some GCC countries, especially in Saudi Arabia, schools must navigate global teacher shortages while meeting localisation targets, striving to retain quality and diversity.
Policy changes in some GCC countries have mandated degrees in respective subjects for being eligible to teach. Though Saudi Arabia witnessed a 3% increase in the number of private international schools and 2% growth in the number of private international school students in the past five years, the number of teachers registered a 3% decline during the same period.
