UAE schools mull over increasing teachers' salaries as an incentive to draw more male educators
In many successful education systems around the world, educators are well-compensated, and this is no different in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, a concerning trend has emerged in the UAE, where men are underrepresented in teaching roles. This imbalance can have significant implications for student development, particularly for boys, who often lag behind girls in literacy and academic achievement [2][3].
Several factors contribute to this underrepresentation. Firstly, the low pay and status of the teaching profession act as a significant barrier for men, both globally and in the UAE [2]. Many men are still expected to be the primary earners in their families, and the relatively low salaries in teaching make it a less attractive career option.
Secondly, societal and cultural gender norms play a role in this trend. Teaching, particularly at the primary level, is stereotypically seen as a female profession worldwide, which affects men's interest and recruitment [2][5].
However, research shows that men who do become teachers often accept lower wages relative to other job opportunities, indicating motivation beyond financial incentives [1]. This intrinsic motivation is crucial, but it alone is insufficient to increase male representation substantially.
The absence of male teachers can limit the presence of male role models and diverse perspectives in education, which can impact students' development. Male teachers serve as effective role models for both boys and girls, encouraging perseverance and career attachment without necessarily changing grades [1]. Their presence influences broader social and developmental outcomes.
In the UAE, this underrepresentation is particularly evident in primary schools, where women often outnumber men due to a preference for indoor-based classroom activities like reading, crafts, and group discussions [6]. In the average school, the ratio of women to men is approximately 70:30 [6].
To address this issue, competitive salaries and encouraging male educators to join the profession are crucial steps. Noufal Ahmed, Managing Director of Woodlem Education, emphasized this point, stating that attractive pay scales can help improve the male-to-female ratio in schools [7].
Moreover, equal pay for both male and female teachers is essential. Sangita Chima, Former Principal of Amity School Dubai, underscored the importance of this issue, suggesting that governments and education institutions review the salaries of Kindergarten and primary teachers and work towards a substantial increase [8].
A balanced environment with more male teachers promotes healthy representation, encourages diverse perspectives, and ensures students have relatable role models of all genders. This balance benefits all students, offering varied teaching styles, perspectives, and role models – key ingredients for a more inclusive and impactful learning environment.
In conclusion, the underrepresentation of men in teaching roles is linked to economic, cultural, and structural factors that discourage men globally, including in the UAE. Addressing this issue is crucial for educational equity and role modeling for students, particularly boys [1][2][5]. Encouraging more men to join the teaching profession can provide boys with relatable role models, potentially inspiring them in powerful ways, and help bridge the literacy gap for boys, offering them relatable role models while enriching the classroom environment with diverse perspectives.
- Apart from financial incentives, men who become teachers often exhibit intrinsic motivation, indicating a desire beyond salary.
- In the UAE, the imbalance of men in teaching roles can have significant implications for students' development, especially in areas like literacy and academic achievement.
- To improve the male-to-female ratio in schools, attractive pay scales and encouraging male educators to join the profession are crucial steps.
- A balanced environment in education with more male teachers promotes healthy representation, encourages diverse perspectives, and ensures students have relatable role models of all genders.
- The underrepresentation of men in education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and career-development sectors, such as teaching, can limit students' exposure to diverse perspectives and role models, impacting their lifestyles, health, business, and overall growth.
