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Wanted! Teachers In response to a global shortage of primary-school teachers, some poor countries are turning to so-called ‘para-teachers’ with little training and low salaries. More

Rajasthan’s Shiksha Karmi schools Hamir Singh used to run a flourmill in Karthoda village, in a remote part of rural Rajasthan’s Ajmer district. But, since 1987, he has been a Shiksha Karmi (education worker) in a unique project of India aimed at providing primary education for out-of-school children – usually girls, children with disabilities, and those from so-called scheduled castes (“untouchables”). More

Teacher shortage in Cambodia Cambodia has turned to volunteer and contract teachers several times in the past twenty-five years. In 1979, it was urgent to replace the teachers who had not survived the Khmer Rouge regime and almost anyone who could read was eligible to teach after short training. Later, these volunteers were given further training, making them certified teachers. But, by the late 1990s there was a new teacher shortage, this time due to higher requirements to enter teacher training, the forced retirement of teachers at age 55 years and commitments to EFA. More

UNESCO supports African teachers African teachers are at the heart of UNESCO’s efforts. The Organization is launching a new initiative for teacher training in sub-Saharan Africa. This programme will help countries develop the policies, teacher education, and labour practices (with the International Labour Organisation) that will be required, if the Education for All goals are to be achieved. More