Government seeks to boost number of male teachers
The awareness programme is part of a strategy being pursued by Education Minister Mary Hanafin in response to the falling numbers of young men choosing teaching as a career especially at primary level.
Latest statistics show that less than 17% of the 27,550 primary teachers last year were men, compared to around 30% in the 1970s. More worryingly for the future, just 11% of those studying to be teachers last year were male and some analysts predict that Irish primary classrooms could be virtually man-free zones in the next 10 to 15 years.
The Men As Teachers and Educators (MATE) campaign kicks off as Leaving Certificate students prepare to send their choice of college courses for next autumn to the Central Applications Office (CAO) over the next week.
But it is not just this year's school leavers who are being targeted, as the campaign seeks to tell parents, students, teachers and guidance counsellors about the rewards of working in primary schools.
Ms Hanafin said: "We're seeking to highlight facts such as the chance to work anywhere in the country, in schools in rural communities or in big city schools. If you have an interest in sports or music, this can be something you can use every day in your working life, there are not many jobs where that is an option," the minister said.
While many of these factors may appeal to men and women, the requirement for higher level Leaving Certificate Irish for entry to teaching degree courses has been raised as a possible advantage for girls, as they perform better in the language.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) welcomed the initiative.
INTO general secretary, John Carr said: "It is important that teaching is seen as a good career for both males and females. A gender balance in teaching is desirable and children need both male and female role models."
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