5 Ways to Increase Male Participation in Education

Male participation in education, especially in higher education and vocational education, is still a challenge in many countries, including Indonesia. In fact, equal education for all genders is the key to sustainable development. Inequality in access and participation of men in education has a negative impact, not only on individuals, but also on the economy and social progress of a country. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy is needed to increase male participation in education. Here are 5 effective ways that can be done:

Changing Gender Perceptions and Stereotypes

Gender perceptions and stereotypes that are still strong in society are one of the main barriers to male participation in education. The assumption that certain education is only suitable for women, or that men must work immediately after graduating from elementary/secondary school, is very detrimental. To change this, a multi-sectoral approach is needed involving families, schools, communities, and the mass media.

Gender Equality Campaign: Massive and creative public campaigns need to be conducted to socialize the importance of gender equality in education. This campaign can use various media, from television and radio advertisements, to social media and posters in public places. The campaign message must be positive and inspiring, featuring successful, highly educated men in various fields.

Parent Education: Parents play a vital role in shaping their children’s perceptions. Educational programs for parents, emphasizing the importance of male participation in education regardless of the type of work they will pursue in the future, need to be implemented. These programs can take the form of seminars, workshops, or even home visits by educational counselors. The focus should be on strengthening the role of fathers in supporting boys’ education.

Inclusive Curriculum: School curricula need to be revised to eliminate gender bias. Learning materials should be designed so that they do not reinforce gender stereotypes, but rather encourage boys and girls to explore their interests and talents freely without gender constraints. For example, including success stories of men in professions that are traditionally dominated by women, and vice versa.

Inspirational Role Models: Introducing successful male figures in various professional fields that require higher education as role models for boys is very important. This can be done through seminars, field visits to workplaces, or through inspirational stories in books and other media.

Providing Easy and Affordable Access

Accessibility barriers are also a factor inhibiting male participation in education. These include physical access to schools, high education costs, and lack of financial support.

Educational Facilities and Infrastructure: The government needs to ensure that adequate and affordable educational facilities and infrastructure are available throughout the region, including in remote and underdeveloped areas. This includes building schools, repairing school buildings, and providing adequate learning facilities.

Scholarships and Financial Aid: Scholarship and financial aid programs specifically targeted at economically disadvantaged men with high academic potential need to be improved. Scholarship recipient criteria should be fair and transparent, and should not discriminate based on gender.

Relevant Vocational Education: Increasing access and quality of vocational education that is relevant to the needs of the labor market can attract men to continue their education. Vocational education needs to be designed to be able to produce skilled and work-ready graduates, so that they can increase their competitiveness in the labor market. Collaboration with the business world is needed to ensure the relevance of the curriculum and internship/work opportunities.

Distance Learning Program: Optimizing distance learning programs (PJJ) can provide access to education for men who live in remote areas or have mobility constraints. PJJ can also provide flexibility for men who work while studying.

Addressing Social and Cultural Factors

Social and cultural factors also play a role in low male participation in education. For example, social pressure to work from a young age, or cultural norms that consider higher education unimportant for men.

Community Dialogue: Conducting dialogue and discussions with local communities to understand their perceptions and views on education for men. This is important to formulate strategies that are targeted and accepted by the community.

Strengthening the Role of Community Leaders: Leveraging the role of community, religious and traditional leaders to encourage male participation in education. They can be effective agents of change in changing community perceptions and behavior.

Addressing the Problem of Early Marriage: Early marriage often causes girls to drop out of school, but it can also hinder education for boys because they feel responsible for the family economy. Efforts to prevent early marriage and support programs for families who have married early need to be encouraged.

Improving the Quality of Education

Low quality education can also cause men to be reluctant to continue their education. Boring, irrelevant, or low-quality education will not interest anyone, including men.

Attractive Curriculum: Educational curricula need to be designed to be more engaging and relevant to men’s interests and needs. This could involve innovative learning methods, the use of technology, and the integration of contextual issues.

Qualified Teachers: Qualified and dedicated teachers are essential to create a positive and motivating learning environment. Improving teacher quality through training and professional development is essential.

Adequate Learning Facilities: Adequate learning facilities, such as laboratories, libraries, and comfortable classrooms, can improve the quality of learning and attract students' interest in learning.

Providing Support and Guidance

Adequate support and guidance are essential to helping men succeed in education. This includes educational counseling, mentoring, and social support.

Educational Counseling: Educational counseling can help men choose majors, overcome learning problems, and plan for future careers.

Mentoring Program: Mentoring programs that connect men with successful mentors in various fields can provide inspiration and guidance.

Psychological Support: Psychological support is also important to help men cope with stress, anxiety and depression that can hinder their academic performance.

Peer Support Network: Building a peer support network in a school or community can help men support and motivate each other to succeed in education.

Conclusion 

Increasing male participation in education is not an easy task, but it is a very important investment for national development. By implementing a comprehensive and sustainable strategy, involving various parties, we can create an inclusive and equal educational environment for all genders, so that every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The success of this effort will have a positive impact on the quality of human resources, economic progress, and overall social welfare.