The Dutch government is introducing a new plan to encourage more men to become primary school teachers by offering students the choice to specialize in teaching either younger (ages 4-8) or older children (ages 9-12) starting in 2029. Secretary of Education Paul van Onderwijs stressed the importance of male role models in the classroom, as only 13% of primary school teachers are men. This initiative aims to address the long-standing concern in the Tweede Kamer regarding the shortage of male teachers.