Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers
Several OECD member countries have had difficulties recruiting suitable teachers around the turn of the millennium. This lack of qualified teachers involved a detriment to the progressive development of a country’s school system and a negative impact on the level of education of its population. Consequently, at the OECD conference of education ministers in 2001, a review of aspects related to the employment situation of teachers was assigned a high priority and a comprehensive project to analyze teacher policies was launched.
One particular focus of the project titled «Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers», in which 26 countries, resp. political systems, are participating, is on the factors that influence the labor market for teachers. The OECD project is intended first of all to provide national governments with sound advice in developing and implementing measures for teacher policies and to draw attention to ways of improving teaching and learning in public schools.
The OECD has set up a website for activities undertaken in connection with the Thematic Review of Teacher Policies. Extensive information on this review is available here and various documents can also be downloaded.
Swiss Country Background Report
The basis of information for the experts is the so-called Country Background Report, which presents a view of the situation from each country’s own perspective and is accordingly authored by researchers from that country.
The Swiss Country Background Report is being compiled by Service de la Recherche en Education (SRED) in Geneva in collaboration with the information and documentation office (IDES) of the EDK.
Country Background Report (PDF)
Annexe to the Country Background Report (PDF)
More research papers on the same topic:
Wage Elasticity of the Teacher Supply in Switzerland (PDF)
Visit by panel of experts
The team of experts has visited Switzerland from March 9 to 18, 2003. During their visits to various institutions, the experts have conducted interviews with different people involved in the Swiss school system, for example, with teachers, school children and school directors, with people involved in teacher training and educational research, with competent authorities from the field of politics and administration, as well as with representatives of the social partners (teacher organizations, parent organizations, business organizations).
OECD publications
Teachers Matter: Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers (available at the OECD).