Is there a lack of male role models in primary school education?

However, the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) recently released figures men only make up over 16 per cent of registered primary school teachers; a five-year-low in terms of the male-to-female ratio. All of which has added to existing concerns that there is a severe shortage of positive male role models in schools.

Male teachers, perhaps stereotypically, are regarded as better at disciplining students; and they are also helpful with the issue of bullying. A recent survey by the Guardian revealed that just over 50 per cent of all students are more likely to ask a male teacher for help.

Public suspicion

Jane Williams, spokesperson from the University of Wales suggests that the reason so few men come into early years education is due to the increasingly widespread media coverage of paedophilia. There may be a ‘public suspicion’ as to why men should want to work with young children.

Ben Dobson, nursery teacher at Alderman Davies Primary School in Neath, qualified three months ago. He said that working with excellent teachers, excellent practitioners and learning support assistants; he would never put himself in a compromising situation: “We never allow ourselves to be in a one to one with a child. That’s for their protection and ours as much as anything.

“It’s the world we live in. You don't want it to interfere with your relationship with the children, you don't want it to be sterile, but there are lines and boundaries and I feel very comfortable".

A female role

There is now great pressure for primary schools to increase their uptake of male teachers, particularly as one in four primary schools have no male teachers at all. Men could be put off primary teaching due to the stereotype of the role. Jane Williams says: "There is the lack of a credible professional career structure resulting in low wages and poor status, and a perception of it being regarded as a female role."

Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, said the trend was worrying but increasing the number of male primary teachers may lead to illegal prejudice where candidates are more likely to be hired if they are men.

Dads on board

Attempts in schools to provide a male influence has led to the increasing involvement of dads in schools and social events encouraging them to spend time with the children; as well as trying to abolish the intimidation felt by many men due to the overwhelming majority of women.

Mr. Dobson encourages more men to become part of the world of primary education as opposed to secondary, surmising that many simply don’t realise how tremendously varied and interesting the curriculum can be.

Chris Keates, the general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), argues that there is little evidence that the number of male teachers has any significant impact on boys' educational outcomes. He maintains that all good teachers have the necessary characteristics regardless of gender.