Canary Islands Grapple with Teacher Exodus Amidst Overtourism and Rising Rents

teachers are being pushed out of desirable areas due to the high cost of living.

The average monthly rent in the archipelago reached €1,200 earlier this year, a 21% increase over five years, exceeding the national average. This means that teachers, particularly those on temporary contracts, are spending approximately half their salaries on housing. This situation poses a significant threat to the region's educational system.

Pedro Crespo, president of the ANPE teachers' union in the Canary Islands, noted that many teachers are declining short-term and substitute positions because the cost of rent is not compatible with their salaries, especially when moving between islands without job security. This trend has, in some cases, resulted in prolonged vacancies in teaching positions, negatively impacting students. The archipelago's government is facing increasing pressure to address rising tourist numbers and a housing market inflated by foreign demand. Teachers' unions are now advocating for measures to prevent an exodus of educators before the problem worsens and affects future generations of schoolchildren.

Proposed solutions include a housing allowance to provide financial assistance to teachers, similar to a program in the Balearic Islands. Union members have also suggested utilizing vacant student housing for teachers on short-term contracts and establishing agreements between the government and local councils to provide housing for essential workers, including healthcare staff and civil servants. The Canary Islands' educational department has acknowledged the issue but stated that it currently lacks available residential space for teachers in temporary positions. These calls for action come shortly after the archipelago recorded its highest-ever number of international visitors, with over a million arrivals in June.