OECD finds teacher shortages persist in Latvia

Teacher shortages in Latvia have worsened in recent years as the workforce ages and younger educators leave the profession, according to a new OECD education report, LSM reports. A declining number of pupils could reduce demand for teachers in the future, but would not resolve the problem entirely.

In 2024, 12% of fully qualified teachers in basic and secondary schools left the profession in Latvia, about twice the OECD average. The reasons now include frequent reforms and a lack of support, including for new teachers, rather than pay, the report found.

Latvia is trying to address the shortages by bringing student teachers into schools, but many later leave the profession. This year, 931 prospective teachers began studies at the University of Latvia’s Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology. Many students in the senior years also work while studying.

Laura Teilāne-Batņa, a third-year student, has taught computer studies at Ilguciems Basic School for two years. Her parents are teachers in Rēzekne and regularly ask whether she knows prospective teachers who might work there, particularly in home economics and physics. Teilāne-Batņa said nearly all students in her third-year cohort work, as do about half of those in the second year, while fourth-year students have already been recruited. Four students from her cohort work at her school.

She said combining work and study was not easy, but that she enjoys teaching and does not expect to leave the profession. She acknowledged that some young teachers leave because of burnout or because they realise the job is not right for them.

Elīna Vucenlazdāne, a prospective mathematics teacher who currently teaches at Jersika Basic School in Latgale, previously worked at Līvāni Secondary School. She described her first more serious year as difficult, while adding that starting something new is never easy and that she likes the children.