Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of males entering the primary teaching profession for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19747/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

According to my Department's records, 180 male teachers were appointed for the first time as permanent or temporary qualified teachers at primary level in the 2003-04 school year; 184 such male teachers were appointed in the current school year, 2004-05.

I am aware of the decreasing number of males entering the teaching profession and I know that the situation is particularly acute at primary level.

I would point out that the relatively low number of males in the teaching force is a feature common to all OECD countries. Indeed, OECD statistics show the situation in Ireland to be close to the OECD average.

It is important to attract more men into teaching for a number of reasons, not least of which is the positive role models that teachers provide in children's lives and the desirability of having both male and female role models in our schools.

A report on attracting more men into primary teaching is currently being compiled by a committee comprised of representatives of the colleges of education, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, the INTO and officials of my Department.

The main objective of this committee is to make recommendations on strategies and initiatives to increase the number of males entering primary teaching. It is expected that the committee will make recommendations in respect of both short-term and long-term strategies.

The work of the committee is almost complete and I understand I can expect to receive the committee's report within a few weeks.