Supporting Teachers to end the Learning Crisis: What Will it Take?

• In Event: Presidential Invited Session: Why is learning poverty high and persistent in low and middle-income countries?

Proposal

Teachers are at the heart of every classroom and are the most influential factor in determining student learning outcomes. Many teachers face insurmountable challenges, that have only worsened due to the pandemic-related school closures. In many countries, the teaching profession is no longer attractive, with low salaries and career progression. Pre-service education tends to be theoretical and old-fashioned, leaving teachers unequipped with the challenge of transitioning into classrooms. Further, teachers are at the center of many political conversations in education, leading to non-meritocratic selection and recruitment. Finally, once in school, teachers do not receive continuous support or adequate teaching-learning-materials. . With so many challenges to their profession, what can we do to best support and engage teachers in the mission to end the global learning crisis, and what does evidence say has worked, and what has not?

Author

• David K. Evans, Center for Global Development