More than one in four state primary schools in England has no male teachers, new findings from the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) show.
The figures have emerged amid concerns about boys lacking male role models as increasing numbers of children are born into fatherless households.
The GTCE figures also show that 25 per cent of registered teachers are men, with most in secondary schools and further education.
Professor Alan Smithers, Director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, expressed disappointment at the findings.
He said: “It’s a sad comment on society that more men aren’t attracted into teaching in primary schools.
Professor Smithers added: “There’s a danger that boys could grow up thinking that education is sissy.
“When it comes to reading, they might be offered what appeals to the female teachers whereas male teachers often have different interests in reading.
“Similarly, in interpreting what’s been read, there are distinct male and female points of view. Both these views need to be offered to boys.”
The General Teaching Council for England Chief Executive, Keith Bartley, said: “We should focus on attracting the best recruits to teaching, regardless of gender.
“If men do not believe that teaching is a worthwhile career option for them, or worse still, if their interest in teaching is viewed with suspicion, then children potentially miss out on a huge pool of talent.”
Only 123,827 of the 490,981 registered working teachers are men with the majority in secondary schools and further education.
More than a quarter of primary schools in England have no male teachers at all.
On Monday the Daily Mail reported that many disadvantaged boys were growing up without male role models to teach them how to behave.
An investigation by Harriet Sergeant concluded that the state was taking the place of fathers as the family’s main provider.
One young man who had recently been released from prison said: “If I had a father, I would have got a good hiding and I probably wouldn’t be here now”.
Harriet Sergeant added: “This year, according to the latest research, one in three children who live with a single mother will spend less than six hours a week with a male role model – whether a father figure, relative or teacher.”