Surplus of Teachers for the Future

Nova Scotia is headed for a surplus of teachers, according to the Department of Education's 2007 Teacher Supply and Demand Report.

The report, released today, Dec. 13, expects an increase of teachers in English and social studies, with shortages in specialized subject areas such as technology education and French first-language.

It will also become difficult to recruit and retain teachers in rural areas of the province.

"We have some major challenges ahead of us," said Education Minister Karen Casey. "We will be working with universities and other partners to ensure we have an ample supply of quality teachers in every subject area and in every part of the province."

The report examined current labour market data and the system's long-range requirements. Despite a projected 16 per cent drop in student enrolments, the demand for teachers will remain strong well into the next decade.

"I would never discourage a student from pursuing a career in teaching, but I would encourage prospective teachers to look closely at the opportunities in key areas of need when they apply to one of our fine teacher education programs," said Ms. Casey.

The public school system is expected to need about 3,320 teachers, or about 385 teachers a year, between now and 2015 to replace those who retire, leave the profession or move to other jurisdictions.

The supply of teachers is estimated to average about 1,000 per year over that time frame. That number includes 333 Nova Scotians who graduate from Nova Scotia universities annually.

"Nova Scotia universities are already taking steps and are doing a good job to match admissions to meet labour market needs," said Ms. Casey.

Since the last teacher supply and demand study in 2004, there has been a significant increase in the number of newly certified teachers joining the labour market.

In addition to the surplus in English and social studies, the report predicts there will be small but manageable surpluses of mathematics, science and business education teachers. There should be an adequate number of French subject teachers, although there are expected to be challenges recruiting French-speaking teachers with academic backgrounds in other subject areas.

There will also continue to be a need for more teachers in physics, fine arts, physical education and family studies.

The surplus will also have an impact on teachers who substitute, potentially resulting in more teachers choosing to leave Nova Scotia. About 700, or one-fifth of substitute teachers now leave the province or the profession because they cannot find enough hours or secure full-time employment.

Ms. Casey said the information in the 2007 Teacher Supply and Demand Report will help the province better manage its teacher workforce over the next decade.

She said the information contained in the report will also provide valuable information to the Teacher Education Review Committee, which is examining how teachers are trained in Nova Scotia.

A copy of the report can be viewed at www.ednet.ns.ca .