Attracting male teachers needs more than a change of Act

By Angelo Gavrielatos

The Federal Government's attempt to amend the Sex Discrimination Act in an attempt to attract more men into teaching has more to do with seeking headlines and watering down the Act than addressing the stated issue of concern.

The proposal is to change discrimination laws so schools can offer male-only teaching scholarships.

The conclusions of the 2001 NSW Government Inquiry into Male Teacher Numbers do not support the Howard Government's actions.

The final report states: "strategies that are likely to succeed in increasing the number of male teachers in public schools will be those which also benefit the entire teaching service. Attempts to implement affirmative action strategies for male teachers are likely to be divisive and, based on international experience, such strategies are unlikely to succeed."

It is further stated "the desirability of the profession as a career choice... will improve with increased status" and recommends that "improving remuneration, career structure...and working environments" is critical in achieving this.

The impact of negative community perceptions of teachers in general and male teachers in particular, due to issues surrounding "child protection", is also recognised in the report.

In the context of an international teacher shortage, rather than seeking headlines and continuing to denigrate the profession, governments should provide the resources to attract and retain quality teachers.

Everyone would agree that a school where both male and female teachers are represented is ideal, however, the current debate concerning the number of male teachers is largely being cultivated by conservative politicians and commentators. It's interesting that the same commentators do not express the same concern about the under-representation of women in leadership positions.

Angelo Gavrielatos is the Senior Vice President.

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March 2004 contents