An extensive promotion to attract more men into primary teaching will begin tomorrow.
The campaign comes as figures show that less than 18 per cent of the State's 27,000-plus teachers are men.
Male participation in primary teaching has been declining since the 1970s when men made up 30 per cent of teachers. Last year men accounted for only 11 per cent of students in teacher-training colleges. The decline is continuing despite a starting salary of over €30,000.
The new campaign is one of the key recommendations made by an expert group on the issue of men in teaching last year.
Opinion is divided on the reasons for the decline in male teachers.
Some blame the perception that teaching is "woman's work". Others says the Irish language requirement represents an effective bar. Primary teachers need honours Irish at Leaving Cert level, yet relatively few men achieve this standard.
The new campaign, known as MATE, will be rolled out this week, with adverts highlighting the key characteristic of good teachers. According to the advert, these are M for motivation; A for ability; T for teamwork; and E for excellence.
The campaign comes as over 50,000 students fill in their CAO forms before the February 1st deadline.
Speaking about the need to attract more men into primary teaching, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said: "We have seen a steady decline in the numbers of men teaching in our primary schools over the past 30 years. What I hope this campaign will do is make young men take a look at the valuable contribution they can make through a career as a primary school teacher."
She said the campaign would highlight the range of options available from schools in both rural communities and cities.
"If you have an interest in sports or music this can be something that you can use everyday in your working life; there are not many jobs where that is an option."
She said once a primary teacher qualified he or she could make a difference to the lives of young people. "An important motivation for all teachers is the fact that they are helping young people develop skills they will use for the rest of their lives.
"It is also very important that young people realise that teaching is a well paid job, with a very competitive starting salary."
"What we are looking for now is for parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to encourage young people, especially young men, thinking of their career options to give strong consideration to the very valuable role of a primary school teacher.
"Given the fulfilling nature of teachers' work, and the vital social contribution that they make, I believe that teaching is an attractive profession for the best candidates, both male and female."
