By 2030, 44 million additional primary and secondary school teachers will be needed to meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), according to the Global Report on Teachers published in February 2024. The Arab region faces unique challenges, including the displacement of large populations due to conflicts, which has intensified the demand for qualified teachers, particularly in crisis settings. In such contexts, teachers must do more than just educate—they must also support the social and emotional development of students who have experienced trauma and turmoil. As the world evolves rapidly, the need to address teacher shortages has never been more urgent. Without immediate action, millions of children in the Arab world will not have access to qualified teachers, threatening not only the region’s educational progress but also its future.

To meet these challenges, UNESCO has emphasized the importance of investing in teachers as key drivers of educational transformation. One of the key recommendations from United Nation's Transforming Education Summit (TES) is supporting teachers in embracing technology and integrating it into their teaching practices. The digital revolution is reshaping education, and for teachers to harness the potential of AI and other digital tools, they must be equipped with the necessary skills and resources. AI tools, for example, have the potential to automate administrative tasks, allowing teachers to dedicate more time to engaging with students in ways they find meaningful and effective—particularly in public schools with high student-teacher ratios.

However, there are concerns that these tools could undermine teachers' autonomy and professional status, especially when algorithms start to heavily influence pedagogical decisions. This shift risks reducing teachers to mere facilitators, narrowing their role to a technocratic function rather than allowing them to exercise their professional judgment and creativity in the classroom. Teachers must be supported to strike the right balance between utilizing AI and maintaining their essential role in fostering critical thinking and creativity.

Teachers are not only crucial in addressing technological challenges but also in imparting knowledge on pressing global issues, such as climate change, global citizenship and sustainability. The Arab world, where climate change impacts such as water scarcity and extreme weather events are felt more acutely, must prioritize education for sustainable development (ESD). UNESCO’s resources, including the Greening Curriculum Guidance: Teaching and Learning for Climate Action and the Green School Quality Standard, provide teachers with practical tools to integrate climate education into their classrooms. These frameworks enable educators to inspire students to engage with environmental issues and prepare them to take action for a sustainable future.

In addition, to further support educators, the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for the Arab States – Beirut, in collaboration with the Arab Thought Foundation (ATF), launched the "Repository of Promising Teaching and Learning Practices" in June 2023. This online resource offers a wealth of teaching examples and innovative approaches related to the digital transformation of education, green education initiatives, and the development of essential competencies to address 21st-century challenges.

However, achieving this transformation requires more than just resources and training. As the UN Secretary-General’s Panel highlights, improving the status of the teaching profession is essential. Teachers must be respected, well-compensated, and provided with safe, supportive working conditions to ensure that they remain motivated and effective in the classroom. UNESCO advocates for policies that prioritize teacher welfare, competitive salaries, manageable workloads, and gender equality in education leadership roles. Empowering teachers to participate in policymaking and educational reforms is also critical for creating systems that are both effective and inclusive.

The time to act is now! To ensure that every child in the Arab world has access to a qualified, motivated, and well-supported teacher, it is essential to invest in teachers. As UNESCO continues to champion education for all, the role of teachers must remain central to the conversation. Supporting teachers today is not just an investment in the future of education—it is an investment in the well-being of our children and the sustainable development of our societies. The global teacher shortage is an urgent challenge, but with collective action, we can ensure that teachers are at the heart of the transformation our education systems from outside and within desperately need.

Learn more about UNESCO work on teachers and how their continued investment is transforming education globally.

Read the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.

Click here to discover another valuable tool the AI competency framework for teachers.