A push is underway to revolutionise England's teaching workforce, with a faction of Labour MPs calling on the government to set targets to boost male teacher numbers and extend paternity leave. The UK currently lags behind many developed nations in this area, with only 24% of teachers being men, plummeting to just 3% in early years settings.
Labour's Men and Boys group, comprising over 50 MPs, is spearheading the campaign, driven by concerns that traditional masculine ideals are failing young men. The group believes increasing male representation in education could provide vital role models for boys and counterbalance the influence of damaging 'toxic masculinity' ideologies.
The call for action comes as the Department for Education acknowledges a significant disparity between genders within the teaching profession, with only 14% of primary school teachers being men. To address this issue, Labour is advocating for targeted recruitment drives and national marketing campaigns to attract more men into teaching, echoing successful initiatives that have encouraged women into STEM fields.
Furthermore, the group is pushing for extended paternity leave, with Labour MP Peter Swallow arguing that 'extra time for dads' would provide a crucial bonding period between fathers and their newborns. According to research from pro-dad organisations like Movember and the Dad Shift, 92% of the public believe it's essential for fathers to have this vital time with their babies in the early weeks.
As part of the campaign, dozens of MPs are donning custom shirts promoting 'Extra time for dads', while a World Cup-themed poster campaign is set to be displayed in football stadiums. With 60% of the public supporting an extension to paternity leave, and many nations offering significantly more generous provisions, Labour's initiative is gaining momentum.
Source: Labour Men and Boys group, Department for Education