ALM UNDP

Summary:

Developed in a widely consultative manner under the leadership of an interagency advisory group (INEE Secretariat, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children Alliance, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, Women’s Refugee Commission), these Guidance Notes address a critical challenge to quality education by providing a framework for discussing the complex issues surrounding the compensation of teachers based on lessons learnt from practice around the world. The Guidance Notes are organised around and provide guidance on the following three themes:

• Policy and Coordination of Teacher Compensation
• Management and Financial Aspects of Teacher Compensation
• Teachers’ Motivation, Support and Supervision as Forms of Non-Monetary Teacher Compensation

Why are the INEE Guidance Notes on Teacher Compensation important?

Along with structures, supplies, curricula and furniture, appropriately qualified teachers are critical for the provision of quality, protective education. However, in fragile contexts, situations of displacement and post-crisis recovery, teachers are often underpaid or not paid at all. Until now, there has been no collaborative effort to map the challenges and provide guidance to policy makers and practitioners grappling with the issue of teacher remuneration and support in these contexts. This has led to inconsistencies in the eligibility for, amount and frequency of teacher salaries, stipends or non-monetary support among and within government ministries, NGOs and UN agencies. In the long-term, these insufficiencies and inconsistencies can lead to a brain drain from the teaching force thus weakening education systems. Non-payment of salaries can also contribute to social unrest, and to situations in which children are not able to learn and are vulnerable to exploitation.

Who should use the INEE Guidance Notes on Teacher Compensation?

• Education authorities at national, county and district levels
• United Nations agencies
• Bi- and multilateral donor agencies
• Education consultants
• NGOs and community-based organisations
• Teachers and teachers unions
• Education sector groups and/or clusters