One in five new primary school teachers is male
The influx is changing, but men still leave teacher training and primary education relatively often.
Around one in five people starting work as a teacher in primary education is male, DagKern reports, citing experts. This development does not mean that the sector already has a balanced gender split.
The new influx thus differs from the traditional image of primary education as a strongly female-dominated sector. Experts consulted by DagKern say that the profession’s image has changed in recent years and that the stigma surrounding men in the classroom has weakened.
At the same time, CBS figures show that men still form a minority among those training to become primary-school teachers. The share of men in the relevant university of applied sciences programme rose from almost 20 per cent in the 2015/2016 academic year to more than 23 per cent in 2023/2024.
A larger influx does not automatically mean that more male teachers remain in the classroom for the long term. According to CBS, men are more likely than women not to complete the pabo. Of the men who do graduate, a considerable proportion later work outside primary education, for example as managers, education specialists or teachers in secondary education.
The development is taking place against the backdrop of a teacher shortage. CBS points to departures through retirement and a lower influx of new teachers. Schools are therefore looking not only for more men, but for enough qualified teachers from all backgrounds.
More men in the classroom can give pupils a broader view of the profession and provide more role models. It is not, however, a substitute for measures concerning training, workload, pay, support and career prospects. The influx figures should therefore be followed through to graduation, after which retention in the profession should also be examined.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The share of men in the pabo programme has risen.
- Men still form a minority in primary education.
- The teacher shortage makes the influx and retention of teachers important.
Left
Arguments Greater diversity in the classroom is valuable, but recruitment should not target men alone. Workload, pay and permanent jobs must make the profession more attractive to everyone.
Values Equality, inclusion and public quality.
Consequences Structural employment conditions could reduce the teacher shortage, but will only produce results in the longer term.
Centre
Arguments A better gender balance can provide pupils with additional role models, but the most important measure remains good teaching. Policy should consider recruitment, training and retention together.
Values Educational quality, equal opportunities and evidence-based policy.
Consequences Targeted support can limit drop-out without excluding new groups.
Right
Arguments Schools should be free to select staff based on quality and suitability, not quotas. The profession’s image will improve especially if achievement, discipline and professional autonomy receive greater recognition.
Values Meritocracy, professional autonomy and responsibility.
Consequences An emphasis on quality and autonomy can make the profession more attractive, but will not by itself resolve unequal representation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved with corrections · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The broader trend has been confirmed by CBS. The precise ratio of one in five new teachers is based on DagKern and is therefore clearly presented in the text as reporting, not as a CBS figure.
- confirmed Around one in five new primary-school teachers is male. — Reported by DagKern; not independently confirmed using the same measurement method. source
- confirmed The share of men in the relevant pabo programme rose to more than 23 per cent in 2023/2024. — CBS cites this development. source
- confirmed Men leave the pabo relatively often and do not always work in primary education after graduating. — CBS describes both patterns. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: One in five new primary-school teachers is male.Now: Around one in five people newly starting work in the classroom in primary education is male, DagKern reports. (The precise influx ratio was not found in the CBS source consulted and has therefore been attributed to the source.)
Editor's note
The claim that one in five new teachers is male comes from DagKern’s reporting. CBS confirms the broader trend in the pabo, but does not publish exactly the same influx measure in the same source.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „basisonderwijs leraren”
- NOS — „basisonderwijs leraren”
- Het Parool — „basisonderwijs leraren”