The Serbian state TV (RTS) warned on Wednesday of a shortage of teachers in elementary schools.

It said that National Employment Service data showed a lack of teachers of math, physics, chemistry and IT. It added that the Belgrade branch of the employment service has just 8 teachers of math and physics listed.

A National Employment Service official told the RTS that there are a total of 187 unemployed school teachers on its lists. According to the official, some teachers work as replacements for years before being listed as unemployed for several months and then going to work again. Some of those teachers work in two or more schools forcing them to travel daily.

The RTS said that more than 1,300 teachers were supposed to get long-term contracts this year but that many are still waiting and are not happy with their salaries.