Who wants to teach the next generation? Exploring the shortage of RE teachers in European Schools

Abstract

Across Europe countries suffer from a severe teacher shortage including for Religious Education (RE) teachers. This article explores the situation and measures taken in Austria, Estonia, Germany, Latvia and Wales and asks which factors enhance or hinder people’s motivation to become a RE teacher. To this end, one of the most internationally renowned and valid instruments for comparative analyses of motivations to choose a teaching career, the FIT-Choice model developed by Watt and Richardson, is used. Each factor – socialisation, task demand and return, self-perceptions, intrinsic value, personal and social utility value, fallback career – is explored from several country perspectives reflecting on the particularities for the motivation of RE teachers. Through this analysis, the article attempts to indicate avenues how to address RE teacher shortages in Europe.