The male teacher shortage in secondary public schools in Azerbaijan : Why some males work in public schools while most do not choose teaching as a career path
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Rasulova, Ulker
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and understand the factors that lead to the
male teacher shortage along with the factors that motivate males to become teachers in public
schools in Azerbaijan. This study addressed what affected men’s career decisions, what would
dissuade men from becoming secondary school teachers, and how important is it to have male
teachers in secondary public schools. A semi-structured approach was employed to interview
16 male, 20 female teachers, 4 education experts, 2 sociologists, a psychologist, 4 school
principals and 10 male university students studying teaching in an effort to understand the
shortage of male teachers. Results indicated that despite male teachers have a strong desire
and are passionate to work as teachers in secondary public schools, there are factors such as
diminished prestige of teaching, low salary, and feminization of the profession that deter
men from pursuing a career in teaching. Further, serving as a male role model for students
was significant, since they considered filling the void left by absentee fathers. This study
provided a review of existing literature, the results of interview, responses to research
questions, discussed limitations, and made recommendations for further research.
male teacher shortage along with the factors that motivate males to become teachers in public
schools in Azerbaijan. This study addressed what affected men’s career decisions, what would
dissuade men from becoming secondary school teachers, and how important is it to have male
teachers in secondary public schools. A semi-structured approach was employed to interview
16 male, 20 female teachers, 4 education experts, 2 sociologists, a psychologist, 4 school
principals and 10 male university students studying teaching in an effort to understand the
shortage of male teachers. Results indicated that despite male teachers have a strong desire
and are passionate to work as teachers in secondary public schools, there are factors such as
diminished prestige of teaching, low salary, and feminization of the profession that deter
men from pursuing a career in teaching. Further, serving as a male role model for students
was significant, since they considered filling the void left by absentee fathers. This study
provided a review of existing literature, the results of interview, responses to research
questions, discussed limitations, and made recommendations for further research.