The number of male teachers in primary schools has fallen from 22.8% of the teaching staff to 15.5% since 2003, according to figures from the CNV trade union federation.

The CNV research also shows that 57% of male teachers often feel isolated amongst all their female colleagues.

Nearly 90% of male teachers would like to have more male colleagues, while 40% of female teachers think men feel at home in a mainly female team.

According to the CNV, 4.2% of primary schools do not have a male teacher and at over 13% of schools there is just one man among the teaching staff.

The union says more men would work in primary schools if there was more emphasis on practical subjects and taking lessons rather than on administration, the Volkskrant reports.