Teacher shortage in key subjects looms: principals

An expected 15% increase in the number of students attending second-level schools by 2020 could lead to a shortage of teachers in particular subjects, principals have warned.

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals has called on the Department of Education to immediately start planning for an increase which will add 10,000 students to the second-level system over the next six years.

The group said there is no relevant data on the types of teachers who will be retiring over the next few years and the subjects they teach. Taken in conjunction with the 15% increase in secondary students, there was a risk of a teacher shortage in particular subjects, it said.