Teacher Supply and Retention

Main Text

The single most important sector of school science education is the teaching force. However, in many countries, effective science teachers are in relatively short supply. European exceptions to this pattern include Finland, Spain, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (EURYDICE 2002). In some cases, recruitment of new teachers cannot keep up with the number of teachers changing careers or retiring (sometimes referred to as “wastage” as opposed to “turnover” which refers to people who take up a post at another school).

Science graduates have a range of skills which make them relatively highly employable. As such, many of the best graduates, particularly in the physical sciences, may never consider careers as a science teacher. Factors affecting their decisions may be related to the status of teaching in their specific society, the levels of remuneration in that society, a preference for working in a business or commercial environment, etc. In some countries, the prospect of having to...