A report underlines the need to attract more male teachers in the EU to act as role models for boys
According to a report published by the expert group chaired by HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, there is a need to attract more male teachers to act as role models for boys, who read much less than girls. The report is, according to Princess Laurentien, a wake-up call to the member states about the crisis that affects every country in Europe.
The conclusions of a report made by a high-level group chaired by HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands to address literacy crisis, were unveiled at a conference in Nicosia hosted by the Cyprus Presidency of the EU. The report provides examples of successful literacy projects in European countries, as well as spotlighting individuals who have overcome the taboo of illiteracy and transformed their lives. It also seeks to dispel common myths about literacy. The group was created in February of 2011.
In order to reach such objective, the report includes a set of recommendations, ranging from advice for parents on creating a culture of reading for pleasure with their children, to siting libraries in unconventional settings like shopping centres and the need to attract more male teachers to act as role models for boys, who read much less than girls. It also makes age-specific recommendations, calling for free, high-quality early childhood education and care for all, more specialist reading teachers in primary schools, a change of mind-set on dyslexia, arguing that almost every child can learn to read with the right support, and for more varied learning opportunities for adults, especially in the workplace.
The report is part of the analysis done in order to reach the joint target agreed by EU Education Ministers to reduce the ratio of 15 year olds with poor reading skills from 20% at present to 15% by 2020. The high-level group's report highlights a significant gender gap, with 13.3% of low achievers among girls compared with 26.6% for boys. The gender gap is smallest in the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium, and highest in Malta, Bulgaria and Lithuania (2009 statistics).