Some UAE schools consider offering higher pay to attract more male teachers

Khaleej Times

11 hours ago

In classrooms across the UAE, female teachers continue to far outnumber their male counterparts, especially in primary education — a trend that mirrors global patterns and has long-term implications for student development.
Education experts explained that the feminisation of certain professions can have drawbacks for both men and women.
In the average school district worldwide, boys are about a grade level behind girls in literacy. Educators say that having more male teachers could help bridge this gap, offering boys relatable role models while enriching the classroom environment with diverse perspectives.
Yet, men remain underrepresented in teaching roles. In the United States, for instance, men now account for just 23 per cent of elementary and secondary school teachers — down from about 30 per cent in 1988. In the UAE, the numbers tell a similar story.
Why men stay away from teaching
Mentors underscore low pay and status have been the primary barriers to entry. Noufal Ahmed, Managing Director, Woodlem Education, said, 'The teaching profession is often female-dominated across the globe and in the UAE, this trend continues, primarily due to lower salary brackets that discourage many male candidates."
While male teachers are equally capable and bring valuable perspectives, the male-to-female ratio remains imbalanced even in our schools. At Woodlem, around 20 per cent of our faculty is male. However, we are actively working to improve this by offering competitive salaries and encouraging male educators to join. Personally, I don't view the absence of male teachers as a disadvantage — our female educators are nurturing and deeply impactful. However, more male representation is always welcome.'
He emphasised in a gender-equal community, having more male teachers creates a balanced environment where both boys and girls feel comfortable seeking guidance.
'It promotes healthy representation, encourages diverse perspectives, and ensures students have relatable role models of all genders, fostering mutual respect and equal opportunities in learning and development.'
Other educators agreed that balanced gender representation benefits all students, offering varied teaching styles, perspectives, and role models — key ingredients for a more inclusive and impactful learning environment.
Dr Arogya Reddy, Principal of Ambassador School Sharjah, highlighted the nature of early years' teaching roles.
'Women are often celebrated for their love, care, and support…qualities that make them naturally well-suited to nurturing young minds. While this might sound like a generalisation, in my opinion, women also tend to be more patient and accommodating, which is why primary schools often prefer hiring female teachers.'
He pointed out in the early years, classroom activities are largely indoor-based…reading, crafts, and group discussions — environments where many women thrive. Men, on the other hand, often gravitate towards more active, hands-on roles and enjoy outdoor learning activities, which become more common in secondary years.
'This difference in preference is one reason why primary teaching roles are still dominated by women. At our school, for instance, the ratio of women to men is about 70:30.'
The salary barrier
Another factor is financial. 'Salaries in teaching are not always competitive, and since men are still often expected to be the primary earners in their families, many shy away from the profession. While pay scales are equal for male and female teachers, the overall packages need to be more attractive if we want to draw more men into education."
He explained having more male teachers isn't just about balance — it's about giving boys relatable role models. 'When students can see themselves reflected in their teachers, it can inspire them in powerful ways.'
Sangita Chima, Former Principal, Amity School Dubai, agreed that pay scales play a decisive role.
'It is always desirable to have a balance of both genders in the primary section with equal proficiency in pedagogy. Male teachers do impact students of both genders as role models much in the same way as female teachers. However, the factor responsible for a declining number of male teachers is the relative low salary compared to other professions, that becomes a challenge for a family's basic livelihood. Generally, women are not the sole earning member. But clearly, the salary for both the genders must be equal."
She added, 'Both male and female teachers must be given equal pay. Generally, women are in a majority. Men make up 20 per cent of the total strength. Therefore, it's time for governments and education institutions to review the salary of the Kindergarten and the primary teachers and work around a substantial increase. Successful countries with outstanding education systems have good salaries for all K-12 educators.'