Teacher shortage paradox in highlands areas

January 08, 2013 - 04:09 PM

While hundreds of teachers continue to wait for a job, several areas in Thanh Hoa Province have a serious lack of teachers.

While hundreds qualified teachers continue to wait for a job, several highlands areas in Thanh Hoa Province have a serious lack of teachers.

Teacher shortage means limited education opportunities

According to the latest regulations by the provincial government, teachers must now be appointed by local authorities.

Several schools in Muong Lat and Quan Hoa Districts currently face a serious shortage of teachers due to this policy. Muong Lat District temporarily hired 50 teachers for the 2011-2012 school year, however due to regulations they will have to stop working.

Luong Van Buong, Chairman of Muong Lat District People’s Committee said the district currently lacks nearly 200 teachers, including 74 at preschool level, 120 for primary schools and 25 for secondary education.

Schools there have been restricted from recruiting teachers since 2010 despite new quotas this year.

Authorities have issued policies in an attempt to attract teachers from lowerland areas, however many are not interested in working in impoverished areas. The situation has caused an overload of work for teachers currently employed there.

“The provincial government has recently assigned the Department of Internal Affairs to coordinate with the Department of Education and Training to look into a solution for the shortage. The issue is pressing, because if we don't act many preschool-aged children may be deprived of an education," said Buong.

In Quan Hoa District a mere 18 out of 140 qualified teachers have been have been employed between the years of 2005-2011. The rate of school attendance in Thanh Hoa is also below normal.

Pham Anh Toan, Deputy Director of Quan Hoa District Office of Education and Training, said, “In accordance with the provincial government’s decision, district authorities have tried to allocate teachers to most highland villages, but we continue to see a teacher shortage in those areas. At the same time only 40% of qualified teachers are employed. A report has been made to find the best solution."