'Fall in standard' of male teachers

Unions say fewer men are becoming teachers

The standard of male teachers entering the profession has fallen, researchers have claimed.

They say the decline in standards among men could be linked to falling relative rates of pay among teachers and some other public sector workers.

The researchers say the quality of women teachers has stayed the same.

The study was carried out by Professor Stephen Nickell, the president of the Royal Economic Society and Glenda Quintini of Credit Suisse First Boston.

Falling pay

Professor Nickell said pay among most public sector workers had fallen significantly in the past 25 years - by as much as 10% in some cases.

For the study, the researchers compared the results of tests taken by the teachers when they were children aged 10.

Professor Nickell explained: "Tests taken on young children are a good predictor of adult outcome."

The study concluded that men who entered teaching in the early 1990s had lower childhood test scores compared with those who began teaching in the late 1970s.

It does indicate that because of the declining rates in teachers' pay, those who employ teachers are choosing from a smaller and smaller pool of men and that is worrying

John Bangs, NUT

Professor Nickell said the declining standards did not occur in all areas of the public sector.

"It didn't happen in the case of the police and their relative pay did not fall," he said.

Teaching unions have reacted sceptically to the report.

John Bangs, of the National Union of Teachers, said: "It has to be treated with real caution.

"It's a small sample and it's not based on the outcomes of the profession.

"But it does indicate that because of the declining rates in teachers' pay, those who employ teachers are choosing from a smaller and smaller pool of men and that is worrying."