THE number of male teachers in Wales has fallen by 10 per cent in the last decade, Welsh Conservative research reveals.

But men are still more likely to get the top jobs despite almost 800 fewer teaching in schools today than 1999.

The decline in the overall number of male teachers has prompted fears that the sector is seen as unattractive as a career to a growing number of graduates.

Over the same period the number of women teachers has risen, though overall teacher numbers are down.

Less than one in six primary school teachers are now men, rising to just over one in three in secondary schools.

Women teachers outnumber men by almost three to one in schools across Wales, the latest school census figures show.

Shadow Education Minister Paul Davies AM said the Assembly Government needs to work with teaching unions to ensure men have confidence in choosing the profession as a career.

He added that boys in particular could benefit from having male teachers as role models.

Figures on the growing gender divide between teachers come as statistics show girls outperforming boys in exams.

Girls outperformed boys at each key stage and in all subjects in 2008 while a greater percentage of boys than girls left school without a qualification in 2007/8.

Paul Davies AM said:

"We need to know why fewer men are choosing teaching as a profession today than 10 years ago.

"There may be historical reasons for teaching appealing more to women than men – but this does not explain why the gender divide has grown over the last decade, particularly in secondary schools.

"There are already growing concerns about a widening attainment gap between girls and boys.

"For some boys the lack of male teachers may reinforce their belief that education is not macho.

"This, in turn, could hold back their chances of making the most out of their time at school.

"We also need to look closely at why proportionately men are still more likely to get the top jobs in schools.

"Gender should never be a barrier to achievement. The focus must always be on ability, vision and overall leadership skills."