Industry News
'Boys respond better to male teachers'
Posted on 31st July 2007
New reports suggest that boys at primary level generally have a more positive response to male teachers.
In a survey of children aged between eight and 11 conducted by YouGov, more than half (51 per cent) of all boys believed they are better behaved with a male teacher while 42 per cent stated that they work harder.
A quarter said that male teachers understand them better and almost half (44 per cent) said they help them enjoy school more.
This is at odds with the reality of the current situation, in which only 16 per cent of all primary school teachers are men.
In light of these findings the Training and Development Agency for Schools is looking to encourage more men to take up teaching positions at primary level in order to create a more balanced workforce across gender.
Last year researchers in the US concluded that male teachers are better for boys, achieving better results than when taught by women, reports the BBC.