Are we experiencing the “death” of the male teacher?
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According to the Macquarie University in the next 40 years we may have no male teachers at all.
The report explained that in 1977 about 28.5 per cent of teaching staff in Australian primary schools were male. Men now make up about 18 per cent of teaching staff.
In Tasmania that number is slightly higher, about 20 per cent. And high schools that number increases with about 40 per cent of the teaching staff men.
According to Macquarie University the figures are expected to drop by 5 per cent in the next 10 years.
University of Tasmania lecturer Dr Vaughan Cruickshank has published a PhD on ways to encourage male primary school teachers to stay in their profession.
Dr Cruickshank highlighted issues of isolation, social and gender expectations and the risk of false accusation of inappropriate conduct with pupils as reasons for men to leave the profession.
Many people view teachers, in particular primary school teachers, as a job for women. A primary school teacher is viewed as someone who should be nurturing, kind and love to spend time with children. They are expected to show empathy and patience. These are all traits that are stereotypically female.
Removing gender completely, a teacher is a highly valued job in the community and underpaid. There are plenty of arguments that teachers should be tested throughout their career, but also paid accordingly for their skills and expectation relating to results.
But wage isn’t the only issue.
Men also face the perception and risk of being accused of indecent behaviour. Unfortunately this is a stigma men can face when working with children.
It’s a real shame, because studies show that children who are exposed to diversity are more likely to demonstrate innovation and creativity.
This diversity relates to gender, age and ethnicity.
Regardless of the gender of teachers, they are not paid adequately for the work and responsibilities they hold every day.
It means those people who would make the best teachers, could turn to a career that has a better remuneration package.
We should be examining the wage and in turn attracting and supporting the very best teachers our dollar can buy.