Secondary schools in Slovakia are reporting a historically unprecedented shortage of teachers, with schools needing more than 8,500 employees. According to a survey by Edujobs, the greatest lack of teachers is at the lower secondary level of primary schools.
While interest in teaching positions is declining, more people are seeking jobs as teaching assistants, for example. Mathematics is the least attractive subject for teachers, and schools are also unable to find enough English and physics teachers.
“We are experiencing shortages in subjects such as mathematics and physical education,” said Viktória Ondrejícka Jakubovičová, director general of the Skyro secondary school. “Statistics clearly show English, physics, Slovak language and literature, and informatics. That’s a fairly stable top five over the past years,” added Ľubica Melcerová, PR manager at Alma Career Slovakia.
Last year, secondary schools posted a record number of job advertisements—1,086 in total. “Schools have never searched for so many teachers at secondary level before,” Melcerová said.
“Of course, this is a phenomenon that has been growing over the years. I believe that by 2030, approximately ten thousand teachers will be missing from the labor market,” Ondrejícka Jakubovičová stated. The most severe teacher shortages are reported in Bratislava, which accounted for nearly half of all job postings. Trnava and Košice are also struggling.
“We know the situation is not good, but it is worst in Bratislava and its surroundings, and as we move further east, including Prešov, the situation is different,” explained Pavel Ondek, chairman of the Education Workers’ Trade Union. “The ministry is implementing or preparing several measures aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the teaching profession, including financial measures, simplifying entry into the profession, and improving working conditions,” the Ministry of Education said.
According to union representatives, the only real solution is better motivation for employees. Education unions are already working on a salary automation system for teachers—a mechanism designed to ensure fair financial compensation—which should be completed in about two years.
Source: STVR
