Pictured at the launch of the Men As Teachers and Educators initiative were : (l-r) Pauric Travers, President, Saint Patrick’s College, Dr. Sean Rowland, Executive Chairman, Hibernia College, Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, Sr. Darina Hosey, President, Froebel College of Education and Peader Cremin, President, Mary Immaculate College.
This week sees the start of a promotional campaign aimed at encouraging more men to consider primary teaching as a career choice. Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., says that increasing the number of male primary teachers is good for pupils, schools, the teaching profession and society generally.
Studies have shown that decreasing numbers of men are applying to become primary school teachers, both in Ireland and across the developed world.
The first phase of the Men As Teachers & Educators campaign will see newspaper and radio ads highlighting the key attributes and strengths of primary school teachers.
M – Motivation
A – Ability
T – Teamwork
E – Excellence
The campaign is seeking to remind parents, students, teachers, guidance counsellors and all those thinking about career options about the valuable and rewarding work undertaken each day in our primary schools.
Minister Hanafin launched the campaign with the help of pupils from St. Aidan’s CBS, Whitehall, Dublin and the Dominican College, Sion Hill, Blackrock.
Speaking about the need to attract more men into primary teaching Minister Hanafin said “we have seen a steady decline in the numbers of men teaching in our primary schools over the past 30 years. What I hope this campaign will do is make young men take a look at the valuable contribution they can make through a career as a primary school teacher.
In the campaign we are seeking to highlight facts such as the chance to work anywhere in the country, in schools in rural communities or in big city schools. If you have an interest in sports or music, this can be something that you can use everyday in your working life, there are not many jobs where that is an option.
Once a primary teacher qualifies they can make a difference to the lives of young people from the moment they step in front of the class. An important motivation for all teachers is the fact that they are helping young people develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives. It is also very important that young people realise that teaching is a well paid job, with a very competitive starting salary.”
Minister Hanafin went on to say “what we are looking for now is for parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to encourage young people, especially young men, thinking of their career options to give strong consideration to the very valuable role of a primary school teacher.
At this time of the year many young people are considering their CAO options. Others, a few years younger, are considering subject choices for their Leaving Cert years. I hope that they will take up the challenge and see what a rewarding career primary school teaching is.
Given the fulfilling nature of teachers’ work and the vital social contribution that they make, I believe that teaching is an attractive profession for the best candidates, both male and female.”
Later stages of the Men As Teachers and Educators campaign will see targeted campaigns directed towards students, schools, parents and guidance counsellors.