Course with employment: "The profession of a methodologist from scratch to PRO"
Find out moreWhat was the situation at the beginning of 2022
According to the Ministry of Education, 76% of school teachers in Russia receive a salary below the minimum wage (Minimum wage). Under these conditions, young graduates of pedagogical universities are reluctant to work in schools. Olga Vasilyeva, President of the Russian Academy of Education, notes that only about 30% of students studying pedagogical programs become teachers. This creates serious problems in the education system, as a shortage of qualified personnel can negatively impact the quality of education and upbringing of children.
The shortage of teachers is a serious problem in the Russian education system. The situation varies by region, but according to Tatyana Klyachko, head of the Center for Continuous Education Economics at RANEPA, in 2021, Russian schools experienced a shortage of approximately 250,000 teachers. This number indicates systemic problems in training and retaining personnel in the education sector. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach and attention from government agencies.
The average age of teachers continues to increase. Olga Vasilyeva emphasized that by 2029, the number of young teachers (under 30) in schools will decrease to 6%. According to data from the Higher School of Economics, the proportion of young teachers was already less than 14% in the 2020/2021 academic year. This phenomenon raises serious questions about the future of the teaching profession and the need to attract new personnel to the education system.
A reform of the teacher salary calculation system is planned in Russia, aimed at increasing their income. The transition to the new system will be gradual: initially, an experiment will be conducted in several regions, after which the results will be analyzed, and the reform will be expanded to the entire country. It's important to note that the problem of low teacher salaries is already being exacerbated by inflation and economic difficulties, requiring immediate action to improve the financial situation of educators.
Forecasts for the New Economic Reality
Under current changes, the teacher shortage may worsen. There is a risk that even the most dedicated middle-aged teachers may leave schools. We reached out to researchers to find out their opinion on this issue.
Experts argue that in an unpredictable environment, teaching can become an island of stability. However, this stability is unlikely to be associated with comfort and warmth.
Director of the A. A. Pinsky Center for General and Supplementary Education at the Institute of Education of the Higher School of Economics.
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I agree that there is currently a teacher shortage, which negatively impacts the quality of education. However, I do not expect this problem to increase significantly. On the contrary, the teaching profession may become attractive in the context of the transformation of the Russian economy.
Senior researcher at the Center for Continuous Education Economics of the Institute of Applied Economic Research of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), conducts research and analysis of various aspects of economic science. His responsibilities include conducting scientific research, developing educational programs, and participating in scientific conferences. The Center for the Economics of Continuous Education actively works to improve educational standards and introduce innovative approaches to teaching. The work of a senior research fellow in this area contributes to the development of the economy and the training of highly qualified specialists in the field of economics.
Photo: RANEPA website
RANEPA, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, is a leading educational and scientific organization. The Academy is actively involved in training highly qualified specialists in public administration, economics, and the social sciences. It offers a wide range of educational programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs, as well as advanced training courses.
The educational process at RANEPA is aimed at developing practical skills and theoretical knowledge, which allows students to successfully adapt to the modern demands of the labor market. The Academy actively collaborates with government agencies, businesses, and research institutions, ensuring the integration of theory and practice.
Furthermore, RANEPA focuses on scientific research, conducting significant projects in public administration and social policy. The Academy serves as a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge, which contributes to the formation of a professional community and the development of innovative approaches to management.
Thus, RANEPA occupies an important place in the Russian higher education system, training specialists capable of effectively addressing pressing issues in public administration and economics.
Many teachers find it difficult to find suitable employment outside of school. In conditions of economic instability, changing professions becomes more challenging, and there is a risk of losing one's job. Despite the high teaching workload and the projected increase in the number of schoolchildren, staff reductions seem unlikely. Teachers have a stable position, which is extremely important in the conditions of uncertainty in the labor market.
Leading specialist of the A. A. Pinsky Center for General and Supplementary Education at the Higher School of Economics (HSE) has profound knowledge and experience in the field of educational practices and methods. The center's work focuses on developing both general and supplementary education, making it an important link in the educational system. The expert is actively involved in research and program development that improves the quality of education and introduces innovative approaches to the learning process.
Image: HSE website
General inflation in the country and the rising prices we are all witnessing will undoubtedly lead to a significant decline in teachers' living standards. This could lead to a mass exodus of teachers from schools, but predicting this is difficult. It is important to consider additional factors, such as rising unemployment caused by the closure of workplaces. In the past, we have observed that in regions with high youth unemployment, the proportion of young teachers in schools was higher. How circumstances will unfold in the new economic reality is still unclear. It is important to monitor the situation and analyze the impact of inflation on the education sector.
If there is no shortage of teachers, employers will have no incentive to retain promising educators. In this case, there will be no new incentives to increase teachers' salaries. This opinion was expressed by Sergey Kosaretsky. He noted that he cannot predict whether the old incentives will remain in effect or whether the government will be motivated to support teachers in the current difficult economic situation.
Alexey Tishchenko believes that there is currently no need for emergency measures to support teachers. However, if inflation continues to rise, possible solutions may include early salary indexation or food aid.
Tatyana Mertsalova emphasizes that in the current difficult economic situation, additional financial support for teachers is extremely important, but the solution to this issue lies within the competence of economists. It is important to note that in addition to financial assistance, teachers require other types of support. It is necessary to create conditions for professional growth, ensure access to modern educational resources, and implement psychological support programs. This will not only improve the quality of education but also enhance the overall atmosphere in educational institutions.
Psychological support for teachers is a key measure in today's environment. The increasing stress and uncertainty teachers face significantly worsens their psycho-emotional state and can lead to burnout, even among young professionals. It is important to create conditions for supporting teachers to prevent negative consequences and maintain their motivation and professionalism.
Mertsalova noted that young teachers continue to receive insufficient attention in Russian schools. Low salaries, in her opinion, are only one factor contributing to the shortage of young teachers. Limiting factors also include the low status of the profession and the various organizational difficulties faced by newcomers in their first years of work. These circumstances can demotivate young professionals and hinder their recruitment into the education sector. Reforming the support system for young teachers and enhancing the profession's prestige could contribute to improving the situation in education.
Russian schools still lack effective support measures for young teachers, including mentoring and assistance during their first years of work. International studies, such as TALIS, highlight the importance of these factors for teachers' successful adaptation to the profession. Without adequate support, young professionals may experience difficulties, which negatively impacts the quality of education. The need to implement mentoring systems and support programs is becoming increasingly urgent to improve teaching quality and retain young professionals in the education sector.
Another contradiction lies in teachers' interest in technology and its accessibility. Young teachers, as Tatyana Mertsalova emphasizes, represent a generation for whom the digital environment has become a natural foundation for communication and professional activity. Importantly, despite a high degree of digital literacy, many of them face limited access to modern educational technologies. This creates obstacles to the effective use of innovative teaching methods and digital resources. Support and development of infrastructure, as well as access to modern tools, are key factors in improving the quality of education and increasing teacher motivation.
Young people are enthusiastic about working in modern, well-equipped schools, bringing new digital technologies to the educational process. However, according to data from the Monitoring of Education Markets and Organizations for the 2020/2021 academic year, working conditions for young professionals are less comfortable than for more experienced teachers. School administrations often ignore the opinions and suggestions of young teachers, which creates additional stress and contributes to their departure from the educational field. This imbalance in approaches to young professionals and insufficient support from management exacerbates the problems faced by newcomers to the profession and can negatively impact the quality of education overall.
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Director of the A. A. Pinsky Center for General and Supplementary Education at the Institute of Education of the Higher School of Economics. The center offers a wide range of educational programs aimed at developing and improving the educational process. The director's main responsibilities include managing the center's activities, coordinating the work of the teaching staff, and implementing innovative teaching methods.
Photo courtesy of the MMSO website.
A teacher shortage currently exists and is having a negative impact on the quality of education. However, a significant increase in this shortage is not expected. On the contrary, the teaching profession may become more attractive against the backdrop of the beginning transformation of the Russian economy. This opens up new opportunities for attracting personnel to the educational sphere and improving working conditions for teachers.
Senior Researcher, Center for Continuous Education Economics, Institute of Applied Economic Research, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). As a senior research fellow, he researches current issues in economics, educational processes, and their impact on the labor market. The Center for the Economics of Continuous Education actively develops strategies and methodologies aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of educational services, thereby contributing to the development of human capital in the country.
Photo courtesy of the RANEPA website.
Many teachers struggle to find meaningful employment outside of educational institutions. In a context of economic instability, changing jobs becomes more challenging due to the risk of losing one's job. However, given the high teaching workload and the projected increase in the number of schoolchildren, staff reductions are unlikely. Teachers have a stable position, which is an important aspect in the conditions of uncertainty in the labor market.
Leading specialist of the A. A. Pinsky Center for General and Supplementary Education at the Institute of Education of the Higher School of Economics.
Photo provided HSE University.
General inflation in the country and the rising prices we are all experiencing will undoubtedly lead to a significant decline in teachers' living standards. Whether this will lead to a mass exodus of teachers from schools remains an open question. Other factors, including rising unemployment due to job losses, may also influence the situation. A previous trend has been observed: in regions with high youth unemployment, the proportion of young teachers in schools increases. However, it is difficult to predict how these circumstances will change under the new conditions.
