Lessons learnt in the use of 'contract' teachers: synthesis report

This study deals with the issue of contract teachers, concentrating in particular on the cases of Cambodia, India and Nicaragua. The phenomenon of contract teachers gained prevalence around the 1990s, particularly in West African countries, as a means to provide schooling to the large number of students that remained out of school in a context of teacher shortages and limited resources. The review of these country experiences suggests that while contract teachers have been a valuable resource to quickly increase access, serious issues remain to be addressed in terms of educational quality. Basing itself on these countries. experiences and in light of the international trends regarding teachers. recruitment and career development, this report calls attention to the need to develop more flexible teacher policies. It suggests having multiple entry points for individuals with different educational backgrounds in order to adequately address shortages and quickly respond to the changing needs of the system and of society. It also reminds planners of the importance of providing this new and heterogeneous teaching body with the necessary support and incentives to allow teachers to be effective and to grow in the profession.