Romania faces shortage of over 6,300 unqualified teachers

The 2026-2027 school year in Romania has commenced amid a significant shortage of qualified teaching staff. According to the Federation of Free Trade Unions in Education (FSLI), there are currently over 6,300 unqualified teachers in the system, a figure that has risen from approximately 5,000 last year.

Union leaders, including vice-president George Purcaru and president Simion Hăncescu, indicate that the increase is driven by the declining attractiveness of the teaching profession and educators leaving the field. The shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, where commuting difficulties and new salary or teaching conditions have led many permanent staff to resign. To fill these gaps, schools are increasingly relying on substitutes who teach subjects for which they lack university training.

FSLI warns that without measures to improve the profession's appeal, the number of unqualified staff could exceed 10,000 in the coming years. Additionally, union representatives have noted that some educators have yet to receive payments for their work during the summer national exams.