ABSTRACT
A coordinated effort and a united front are required in challenging times. Global responses to the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of WHO leadership, health systems-level responses, and responsive citizens. We also noted that the pandemic widened pre-existing opportunity and achievement gaps, impacting historically disadvantaged students and regions hardest. These key components are helpful for governments as they prepare for the current teacher-shortage pandemic. However, there is no equivalent to WHO for global educational leadership. Education systems are burdened and disparate, the media has systematically devalued the role of teachers in society and inequities continue to widen. We review the current teacher shortage, reveal common principles and practices, and highlight collaborative efforts and successful practices. We offer recommendations based on learnings of how we successfully responded to the COVID-19 pandemic but also highlighted the need to address current inequities. Recommendations for our response to the current global teacher shortage are underpinned by the importance of leadership, system-level responses, citizen responses, and equity.
