Croatia faces critical shortage of kindergarten teachers

Croatia is facing a critical shortage of professional kindergarten teachers, with the deficit nearly doubling over the last six years. According to Katarina Turković Gulin, president of the Sidro Association, the number of missing educators has risen from approximately 3,000 in 2020 to 7,008 today.

As a result, between 30 and 40 percent of educator positions are currently being filled by unskilled staff, including individuals from various backgrounds such as hairdressers, economists, and hospitality workers. This trend is driven by worsening working conditions that lead graduates to pursue other professions.

The shortage is particularly severe in rural and smaller regions, including Gorski Kotar, Lika-Senj County, and parts of Slavonia. While Slavonski Brod reports a surplus of educators, most areas struggle with job postings that remain unfilled after multiple attempts. The Sidro Association has expressed concern regarding the lack of progress from the Ministry in addressing these systemic issues.