Out-of-field teaching and the teacher labour market, in Chile

Abstract

The present study describes the out-of-field teaching situation, in Chile, and addresses in-depth the selection and assignment mechanisms of Chile's teachers. It estimates the current situation of the teacher's market and analyzes the effect that could result from the implementation of greater selectivity to enter the teaching profession and changes regarding non-teaching hours, as defined in the new education policy concerning teachers (Política Nacional Docente, PND). The results indicate that there is still a considerable number of hours that are not being taught by teachers with the required specialty or level. The estimates further reveal that the proposed changes, for example, an increase in the proportion of non-teaching hours and greater selectivity in the initial teacher training programs could generate an impact on the supply and demand of teaching hours. If current conditions are maintained, the policy could produce a severe deficit scenario. If, however, the profession's attractiveness increases, due to improved conditions in the teaching profession, the scenario could be less dire and perhaps even accrue a surplus. Finally, we offer recommendations to improve the implementation of these important and necessary changes for the teaching profession.