It’s been more than 20 years since Dr Sarah Alexander’s ground breaking research which highlighted the low proportion of men in early childhood teaching and identified gender bias. Yet, the issue has yet to be properly addressed in education policy.  READ MORE. At The OECE we have a deep knowledge that can be used to better inform recruitment and employment practices. We can provide political leaders and decision-makers with guidance on how to address gender bias in education policy and achieve gender-balance in the ECE workforce.    A scholarship award is provided as a way of saying to men that they are welcome to become early childhood teachers – the ‘Men in ECE Invitation Award’.