More Pre-School Teachers, Especially Male Teachers, Wanted in S’pore

If I asked you to close your eyes and picture a preschool teacher, what would come to mind?

Reader: A lady with spectacles?

Okay, I don’t know where the spectacles came from, but it is indeed true that the vast majority of early childhood educators are female.

What’s more, as the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) noted, there are misperceptions that the sector is more suited for women.

But the agency is hoping to change this traditional mindset.

More Pre-School Teachers, Especially Male Teachers, Wanted in S’pore

The agency wants more men as preschool teachers, even though their numbers have been rising in recent years.

In 2016, there were 114 male pre-school educators in Singapore. That number went up to 160 in 2020.

This increase – about 35% – is similar to the percentage increase in early childhood educators as a whole.

With the number of full-day pre-schools increasing and set to go up to 200,000 by 2023, however, there is a need for more early childhood educators, especially male ones, ECDA said.

“While early childhood educators are professionals who play a critical role in the holistic development of our children, there are misperceptions that the early childhood sector is associated only with caregiving and is more suited for women,” an ECDA spokesman said.

Mr Albert Seah, human resource director at PCF Sparkletots, echoed this point, adding that recruiting early childhood educators can be generally challenging.

“The early childhood industry is traditionally perceived as a female-centric vocation, and childcare is often perceived as an extension of the mother’s role,” he said.

“However, perspectives have evolved and, today, regardless of gender, individuals who are passionate and have the right aptitude and attitude are welcome to the sector.”

ECDA has also launched a national campaign for the early childhood sector, aiming to create greater awareness of the sector’s career opportunities and foster greater respect for the profession.

Misperceptions Among Male Teachers

It isn’t only employers who may have misperceptions about the profession.

Male educators who are passionate about teaching may feel like they are more suited to teaching older kids.

But their skill sets can also be valuable for the holistic development of young children, Mr Seah said.

Another misperception that may put some teachers off is that there is limited career progression in the early childhood sector.

This is not true, Mr Seah said.

He said that having both males and females can bring in different perspectives and ideas during discussions on lessons or curriculum planning.

“Male pre-school educators can also relate to and provide psychological support and encouragement to fathers or male caregivers,” he added.

Featured Image: No-Te Eksarunchai / shutterstock.com