“A number of studies in the USA, UK and Australia have indicated that the academic gap between girls’ performance and boys’ performance in schools has widened over the last 3 years. There are a number of theories as to why this has occured and the Boysforward Institute will look at some of these scenarios in this year’s seminars and beyond. Primarily boys need to work for someone like their teachers and have more need for affirmation, praise and the celebration of success with others to really motivate them to excel. During on-line learning and self reliance learning at home during lockdowns etc during the COVID-19 Pandemic the teacher was often not present and boys seem to have lost interest in their learning with out someone to oversee them and lead them – such as their teachers. Many girls are much more independent learners.” Dr Ian Lillico March 2022