Education

EDUCATION:

• The OECD reveals, “boys are significantly more likely than girls to be disengaged from school, get lower marks, repeat grades, and play video games in their free time.” (Page 123)
• The World Bank reports, “more than 100 countries have lower levels of male secondary and tertiary education enrollment and completion. Learning poverty rates—the proportion of children unable to read and understand a simple text at 10 years of age—are higher for boys than for girls in all regions and almost all countries of the world.”
• Editorial:
  • Richard Reeves: Missing Misters: The Worrying Decline in the Share of Male Teachers
• Press Releases:
  • Norway Broadens ‘Gender Equality’ Debate to Address Disparities Facing Men and Boys
  • Nations Must Address Male Education Gap, or Face a Stunted Economic Future
• Video: False beliefs that are a prime cause of boys’ educational struggles.
• Article: Study finds more than half of colleges ‘facially violate’ Title IX with women-only scholarships

Strategies and Solutions:

• Assertively speak out when boys’ educational issues are shortchanged or ignored in the media or by policy-makers.
• Participate in the International Education Day, which is observed every year on January 24.
• Reports:
  • All-Party Parliamentary Group: Closing the Gender Attainment Gap
  • Equi-law UK: Guidance for Schools
• Policies:
  1. Government and Educational Agencies Support:

  Actively support initiatives and policies to close the gender attainment gap, similar to efforts for the gender pay gap.

  2. Inclusive and Fair School Environment:

  Create an environment where boys feel encouraged and supported, with high expectations, targeted encouragement, and consistent and fair discipline.

  3. Targeted Interventions:

  Implement literacy mentoring, role models, and early literacy programs specifically tailored to boys’ needs.

  4. Male Representation in Teaching:

  Increase male representation in teaching, especially in primary education, and provide training focused on boys’ unique challenges.

  5. Greater Father Involvement:

  Support policies that promote greater father involvement in children’s education.

  6. Expand Career and Technical Education Programs:

  These programs have shown success in engaging boys more effectively than traditional academic tracks.

  7. Equal Access to Scholarships and Extracurricular Programs:

  Ensure that college scholarships, extracurricular, and leadership programs are equally available to male students.