The Chinese version of the Teacher Task Force and UNESCO Global Report on Teachers, Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession, was launched at a special event held during the 4th Global Forum for Teacher Professional Development on 11 November 2024 in Shanghai. Organized by the UNESCO Category II Teacher Education Centre (TEC) at Shanghai Normal University, and hosted by Professor Minxuan Zhang, Director of the Centre, and Associate Professor Dr Bian Cui, the event brought together leading education experts, policymakers, teachers and students from around the globe in a hybrid format to discuss strategies for making the teaching profession more attractive and sustainable.

Mr Carlos Vargas, Head of the Secretariat of the Teacher Task Force and Chief of Section for Teacher Development at UNESCO, delivered a key presentation analyzing the report’s findings. He highlighted the persistent teacher shortages in all regions, with a projected deficit of 44 million primary and secondary education teachers by 2030. His presentation also outlined the factors driving attrition and identified innovative measures adopted globally to address these challenges.
 

The Chinese version of the Global Report on Teachers, translated by over 30 TEC teachers and students over a six-month period, was co-published by UNESCO, TEC and the Educational Science Publishing House (ESPH), and represents a significant effort to make the report’s insights and recommendations accessible to Chinese-speaking audiences. This collective achievement highlights the value of international collaboration in addressing teacher-related challenges.

The Chinese version of the report is now available on the Teacher Task Force Knowledge Platform and on the ESPH website.
 

Highlights of the event

The programme began with welcoming remarks from key figures in education in China:

• Ms Zhang Chunliu, Second-Level Researcher from the Section for Development at the Department of Teacher Education of the Ministry of Education, celebrated the release of the report and emphasized the recognition of China’s teacher development efforts on the global stage. She shared examples of how China has reformed teacher management and improved teacher status.
• Mr Jiang Mingjun, Vice President of Shanghai Normal University, highlighted the institution’s commitment to international collaboration and its role in teacher training.
• Mr Zhang Minxuan, Director of TEC, stressed the value of international exchange and urged students to "open their eyes to the world," drawing on his own experience as an educator.
• Mr Zheng Haojie, President of and Editor-in-Chief of the Educational Science Publishing House, reflected on the long-standing collaboration between TEC and UNESCO in translating key education resources and reaffirmed the publishing house's dedication to this partnership.
   

Key discussions

The forum’s theme, "How to Make the Teaching Profession More Attractive?" provided a platform for a range of insightful presentations:

• Mr Carlos Vargas, Head of the Secretariat of the Teacher Task Force and Chief of Section for Teacher Development at UNESCO, provided an in-depth analysis of the global teacher shortage, linking it to systemic issues and exploring innovative solutions highlighted in the Global Report on Teachers.
• Mr Zhou Zuoyu, Director of the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (UNESCO INRULED), shared China’s successes in promoting equity and inclusivity in education through reforms, innovation, and digital technology.
• Mr Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills at the OECD, discussed the potential of AI in teacher professional development, noting the need for teachers to embrace new technologies to enhance their skills and job satisfaction.
• Mr Xiang Shiqing, Researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted the challenges of the digital age for learners and how teachers are strengthening their role as learning activity designers. He also described STEM education as a new approach to both science and general education.
• Mr Jordan Naidoo, former Interim Director of UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO IIEP), presented on crisis-sensitive teacher policies, emphasizing the role of teachers in sustainable development and the need for teamwork and adaptability in the face of global challenges.
• Mr Cheng Kai-ming, Emeritus Professor of the University of Hong Kong, offered an engaging perspective on the role of teaching in preparing students for an unpredictable future, beyond the immediate challenges of AI.
   

Collaborative achievements

The Global Report on Teachers, developed by the Teacher Task Force in collaboration with UNESCO, provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the teaching profession globally. By identifying challenges and offering policy solutions, the report helps countries improve their teacher recruitment, retention and professional development.

The release of the Chinese version marks a critical step in ensuring the report’s impact in China, enabling policymakers, researchers, and educators to engage deeply with its findings. Carlos Vargas emphasized the importance of such collaborations in advancing the global education agenda and achieving SDG4 by 2030.

The launch event served as a valuable platform for sharing insights, promoting international collaboration, and inspiring action to strengthen the teaching profession. The Teacher Task Force remains committed to supporting countries in overcoming teacher challenges and advancing policies that empower educators around the world.

 

Information and resources

• Global Report on Teachers (Chinese version)
• UNESCO TEC press release regarding the event (in Chinese) including links to press coverage
• News coverage of the launch from Shanghai Education TV (video in Chinese)

Photo credits: UNESCO TEC