Men encouraged back to school (From Bucks Free Press)

Men encouraged back to school

10:34pm Tuesday 19th August 2008 in

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A COURSE to encourage more men into teaching is being launched by Buckinghamshire County Council.

Recent statistics show one in twelve schoolboys have never been taught by a male, and the council is looking to redress the balance.

A three-day course will take place in September 2008, and will include a one-day school placement, and is designed to help participants to decide whether to apply for initial teacher training.

Marion Clayton, the council's Cabinet Member for Achievement and Learning, said: "It's important, and becoming increasingly important, to have male teachers because so many of our youngsters don't have a dad at home and, if they do, he may well be working very long hours."

A report by the Training and Development Agency shows more than half of all boys currently in primary education believe the presence of a male teacher makes them behave better.

The report also said 42 per cent of pupils said male teachers made them work harder and 44 per cent said male teachers help them enjoy school more.