I think we should have all good-old-fashioned Irish-Catholic-nuns again! Both boys and girls fear and respect this flowing vision of black gown, this rigid authority, this emblem of Christ himself.

Boys may listen to a man more readily, but what kind of man wants to be a teacher these days? Mainly gays! Not such a good idea in influencing young boys!

As for roughhousing and all that "boys will be boys", usually that behavior is outside the classroom anyway.

Good luck finding any men who want to deal with boys 8-16 willingly on a teacher's salary! Perhaps their wives earn enough that they really don't need the money?

Mary McGreevy, SAn Francisco, CAlifornia

If native boys show such preference to being taught by men, how much more the Afrikan-British or ethic "other" child. Any wonder the boys resist being molded into a value system that seeks to teach them that they are disruptive, and failing? Some schools can barely present a male member(!) of staff on sports day.

remi, uk,

I understand the urge to have more men in teaching but I do not understand the need to celebrate the thought excessively. By doing this we cause two things:

1. We end up putting implicit higher expectations to men to be these great males teaching children, which in fact stereotypes us men as all teaching in a lively and funny way, which always pleases children and leaves female teachers standing in the shadows.

2. We downgrade, no matter whether we want or not, the value of female teachers. At the moment, when you will not get rich teaching, we should value every single teacher and celebrate them.

Instead of asking children whether you prefer men or women teaching you, how about asking yourselves why there is still a lack of a whole range of teachers: Teachers from ethnic backgrounds, teachers that are men, teachers that have additional needs, teachers from all walks in life?

And whilst asking this question, do not forget teachers already are doing a heck of a job.

Saku Tihveräinen, Helsinki, Finland