Costing and financing the teaching profession: A strategic investment in education - Key messages

This document presents the key messages from the paper 'Costing and financing the teaching profession: A strategic investment in education'.

The paper examines the challenges and opportunities in sustainably costing and financing the teaching profession, with a focus on salary structures, workload, international aid, and innovative financing mechanisms. Drawing on global data and country case studies, it highlights the critical role of domestic resource mobilization, the risks of overreliance on external and short-term funding, and the promises of progressive fiscal reforms. The paper concludes with actionable policy recommendations to align teacher financing with broader education and equity goals.

It was presented at the World Summit on Teachers in Santiago de Chile in August 2025, informing the discussions of the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee.