On a related note, I happened across this recently...
Male teachers 'do not help boys' Having male teachers does not improve boys' levels of attainment in school, researchers say.
An assumption that male teachers would have a positive effect but that they were in short supply has concerned policymakers in a number of countries.
But after analysing test results, a team from Durham University found there was no noticeable difference. However, having a female teacher had a positive effect on children's attitude to school, the team found.
Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4230120.stm