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Boys taught by men do better, study finds
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by Paul Conneally | September 29, 2008 at 10:39 pm
293 views | 10 Recommendations | 4 comments
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The gender gap in British education continues with girls consistantly outperforming boys. This new study suggests that if there were more male primary teachers boys could do better. In an age where more children are brought up in one parent families without a male role model around it appears that male teachers, sports coaches and other mentors can play an important role in the lives of children from such homes and especially for boys. Less and less males are choosing to become teachers with male recruitment at it's lowest for five years. This could be about to turn around a little as the credit crunch and financial industry meltdown kicks in with reports that many finacial workers have enquired about becoming teachers. The financial rewards for teaching in the UK are low and this coupled with the moral step-up required of bankers and stock dealers might put some off joining the profession.
Boys will perform better in education if they have a male teacher in their primary school, according to research published today.
A study of more than 1,000 men reveals almost half of them (48 per cent) cited male primary school teachers as having had the most impact on them during their school life.
In addition, 35 per cent said having a male teacher challenged them to work harder at school while 22 per cent said males had boosted their confidence in their own ability.
The research, for the Training and Development Agency – the body responsible for teacher training – comes as the number of males qualifying to teach is at its lowest for five years – 23.8 per cent. Only 13 per cent of all primary school teachers are men.
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emily_chiavelli
Malden, Massachusetts, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 22:41 on September 29th, 2008
LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I can second that out of my own experience with my kids and the time I used to teach my self.
at 04:07 on September 30th, 2008
LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Is this an argument for doing away with co-ed classes?
at 05:24 on September 30th, 2008
Both systems have their pro and cons and I think that in part makes it so difficult to find the right balance. Studies show that Boy perform best with Male teacher and Boys only Classes. Where as some studies show that Girls do well in mixed classes and yet with male teacher until they are 12 to 14 then the Girls do better in Girls only classes with female teacher, where as the boy perform best trough out their education with Male Teachers and Boys only Classes. Now the other question would be social behaviour in latter day as adults and there no one seem to be able to agree so far on a consensus.
Several international studies strongly suggest to reintroduce Boys only classes with Male teacher and Uniforms.
at 05:15 on September 30th, 2008
Thanks MCHawk - no I don't think it is - I think its an argument for more male teachers in the lower age group classes. More primary male teachers. The other day I met a male nursery class teacher - there aren't many of those at all - the first one that I've come across. He was great with the kids (both boys and girls). So although there may be arguments for single sex teaching (I'm never convinced myself) I don't think that this is what this report is suggesting.