More male teachers needed in early childhood education
Pyara Singh is passionate about the education and development of young children.
The ex-insurance agent decided to pursue a New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) at New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC), taking advantage of the online learning to work full-time in an early childhood centre while completing the qualification.
His aim is to become a role model teacher, providing children with the best possible care and learning so they can develop life skills.
“My work in early childhood education allows me to build meaningful relationships, collaborate with families and whānau, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness,” Singh says.
He believes it’s important to have more male teachers train as early childhood teachers, as they bring a unique perspective to the sector and their interactions with tamariki.
“I provide a dynamic learning environment with opportunities to enhance and develop a wide range of physical play,” he explains.
“I absolutely believe it’s important to have more male teachers in ECE.”
Many sector resources, from academic journal He Kupu to the New Zealand Council of Educational Research, state that male educators provide children with opportunities to experience different approaches to play, and act as positive role model figures that break gender stereotypes.
However, the number of male ECE teachers recorded in the 2018 Census was only 3%, with the numbers from the 2023 Census not yet published.
While Singh plans to complete a bachelor degree with NZTC and become a fully qualified and registered teacher, the majority of students who are currently enrolled in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs at the college are female.
Dr Sean Dolan, NZTC’s Academic Dean, believes that the numbers are climbing but not at the pace that the sector needs.
“We have a range of cultures and nationalities within the NZTC student and alumni whānau as a result of the global recognition of our programs, but that diversity unfortunately doesn’t extend to gender balances.
“Of all the demographics, it’s men that are the least represented in the sector.”
Many male students are career changers, like Singh, who utilise NZTC’s reduced fees and blended learning to follow an interest in education later in life.
But Dolan says it doesn’t matter how they end up in the sector, just that it is important they do.
“Men bring particular qualities to early childhood education and interactions with children that are beneficial to their development, through both physical play and the perspectives they offer in a female-dominated environment.
“Their presence in ECE centres helps to offer a balanced teaching approach.”
New Zealand Tertiary College is currently offering domestic students a 70% reduction on study fees for the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Students must commence study with NZTC by Monday 4 November. Terms & Conditions apply.