Teachers, principals associations: PM correct about shortage of male teachers

THE National Parent-Teachers Association (NPTA) and the National Primary Schools Principals' Association (NPSPA) believe the Prime Minister is right to be concerned about the shortage of male teachers.

But NPTA president Clarence Mendoza and NPSPA president Lance Mottley say while the acknowledgement of the issue is important, it is time to begin seeking solutions.

In addressing the Education Ministry's Spotlight on Education: Transforming Education at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on Thursday night, Dr Rowley said more men must be encouraged in the classroom to "provide a balance in the children’s education."

He said while he "loves the ladies," the "insufficient presence of male teachers is a problem" especially when many children may not have a present father at home.

He said there are 13,906 teachers in primary and secondary schools. Of that number, 10,581 are women and 3,325 are men.

Speaking with Newsday on Saturday, Mottley said Rowley is not the first to express such concerns as it has been a recurring issue over the years.

"It has been expressed by a number of people, including myself, over the years.

"Male students need at least male role models and if we don't have enough of that, it can perpetuate the kind of decadence we have in our society."

He made it clear, "It's not that the women aren't doing a good job. They are doing a good job. But we need boys to see what an ideal man is; how he behaves, reacts, and so on. And what better place for that to happen apart from home than in the school environment?"

Asked how these concerns can be transformed into solutions, he questioned if the teaching service is an attractive career for men.

"You may very well find it may not be. It's not that very attractive so how do we make it attractive?

"Well, we may have to review how teachers are compensated for the kind of efforts that are required. It's a demanding job."

He said much of what is happening is a reflection of TT culture, using an example of the trend of more women being pre-school teachers as "they are dealing with very small children who need that kind of nurturing."

"We have to take that into consideration," he said.

Mendoza said he has been advocating for more male teachers for over ten years, both at the primary and secondary levels.

"We want to sit and have dialogue in terms of stakeholders' involvement in coming to a solution.

"We do need a restructuring (of the education system) to take place."

Rowley had said, "who is teaching the children is one of ten strands of the fabric in which stakeholders must engage as it seeks to transform the sector."