Where Are the Boys in Art Class? Reflecting on a Growing Gender Gap in Secondary School Art Education.

Over nearly two decades of teaching Art, I have observed many changes in the classroom. One trend in recent years, however, has become increasingly noticeable—and concerning. There has been a steady decline in the number of male students choosing Art at the senior secondary school level. In earlier years, it was common to see more boys than girls in Art classes at senior secondary school level/KS4. Even in the schools where I taught both the WAEC curriculum and the English National Curriculum (IGCSE), the ratio of boys to girls used to be fairly balanced. Now, girls are significantly more represented at the point when students formally register for the subject in their senior years. This shift did not happen overnight, but over the past six to seven years, the decline in the number of male students choosing Art has become increasingly noticeable. This raises an important question for educators: Why are fewer boys choosing Art? Is it the perceived rigour of the subject? Is it the resilience, focus, discipline, and consistent effort required to meet demanding coursework and strict deadlines? Or could other factors be influencing this trend—societal perceptions about Art, career misconceptions, peer pressure, or the way creative subjects are presented to male students? Art education is far more than drawing and painting. It builds creativity, critical thinking, persistence, and the ability to solve problems visually—skills that are valuable across many modern careers. If boys are gradually stepping away from the subject, it is worth asking why? As educators and school leaders, we may need to rethink how we present, support, and encourage engagement with creative disciplines. I am curious to hear from fellow Art educators and school leaders: Are you noticing a similar trend in your schools? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- hashtag#ArtEducation hashtag#ArtEducator hashtag#ArtTeachers hashtag#IGCSE hashtag#EducationLeadership hashtag#LinkedinPost hashtag#CreativeEducation hashtag#IGCSEArt hashtag#TeachingAndLearning hashtag#MaleArtstudents hashtag#ArtTeachersonLinkedin hashtag#SecondaryEducation hashtag#FemaleArtStudents