Fewer men in the teaching profession

1 English teacher Ambigah Devi Manigam (in black) explaining an activity from the NiE pullout to some students. — filepic2 Teacher Asiah Abu Bakar teaching Year One pupils at SK Lintang near Sungai Siput in Perak, which wasflooded recently — filepic3 Two Year One pupils sharing a fun moment. —filepic4 Jegathesan (in purple) taking a wefie with his students.Photos: SAIFUL BAHRI

TEACHING at schools is just not challenging enough for men.

Those interviewed by MetroPerak felt that this could be the main reason why there were fewer males in the teaching profession in the country.

Many also felt that the perception of just teaching in class was not attractive, thus the lack of interest from men.

SMK Wira Jaya teacher Ooi Eng Kooi, 47, said he felt that men were just not interested in teaching children.

“Speaking from my experience and observation, I feel most male teachers just want to get through the day,” he said.

“The female teachers that I’ve encountered are more capable and strive harder to teach students as well as show more concern for their students,” he added.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong was recently quoted a saying that more than 90% of the teaching workforce in the country are female.

Teacher Asiah Abu Bakar teaching Year One pupils at SK Lintang near Sungai Siput in Perak, which was flooded recently. — filepic

 

Dr Wee also said the party would encourage more male students to pursue the profession.

Ooi, who has been teaching since 1990, said about 80% of the teachers at his school were females.

“During my schooling days, the teacher ratio was about 60% female to 40% male.

“It is getting lesser now,” he said.

Kolej Vokasional Ipoh teacher Arjan Singh, 53, also felt that most men probably felt that the profession was not exciting enough for them.

“It’s considered an old profession and teaching may not be challenging enough for some,” he said.

Arjan, who has about 30 years of experience in teaching, said the lack of male teachers could lead to a lack of authoritative figures in disciplining students in theschools.

“I think it’s more advantageous to have more male teachers around when it comes to discipline.

“I think boys tend to be more afraid of a male discipline teacher,” he said.

“However, the disciplining of students differ between an all-girls school and an all-boys or co-ed school,” he added.

He also said that male teachers tend to be more involved in sports events or even co-curriculur activities.

Arjan said at his school, where it’s more hands-on with focus on practical learning, there were more men.

Jegathesan (in purple) taking a wefie with his students. Photos: SAIFUL BAHRI

 

“About 60% of the teachers here are males. Our classes are held mostly in workshops.

“The female teachers teach academic subjects,” he said.

A primary school teacher, who only wanted to be known as Yeap, 58, said female teachers were not inclined to discipline their students.

“I feel that at times, some teachers are too soft. They don’t know how to discipline the students.”

SMK Muhibbah teacher S. Jegathesan, 48, said there were 44 teachers in his school and that about 20 were males.

He, howeer, said the majority of the teachers in Kuala Kangsar district were females.

“They are also the ones holding most of the high positions there.

“Personally, I think most men think that the profession does not pay well,” he said.

“They probably think that they can get better paying jobs in other professions,” he added.

Jegathesan also said he felt that women were more suited for the job.

He said that women were more gentle and patient when it comes to teaching in a class than men.

“However, I have also seen women becoming discipline teachers. They are up to it too.

“At the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, their hockey team’s coach is a female,” he said.

“However, I also feel that women tend to be more emotional and may not handle certain situations well while men are calmer in handling a tough situation,” he added.