MIXED SCHOOLS: A NEW ERA

Some might think educating boys and girls in separate schools or environment is the better option. Others, however, believe that educating boys and girls in the same school enable both parties to benefit a lot. An opinion I have chosen to stand by is that a mixed school has more benefits and advantages to a separate or rather gender schools. 

A legendary quote by Johnny Dewey says and I quote, “Education is a social process, Education is growth, Education is not a preparation for life, but life itself”. The concept co-Education in schools is the best environment for a child to learn not only how to be academically smart but also to learn how to be alive. Co-Ed school helps a child to learn how to effectively communicate with the opposite sex. This is not only to build or strengthen their bond with each other but also help them in work cultures where they regularly have to face colleagues and bosses or impersonators. Also, when people or in this context students, interact with the opposite sex on daily basis, they learn not only to respect each other but also understand each other’s perspective and way of thinking.

Students are more open to receive more access to diversity in a mixed school. When students of all ages have access to diversity in both genders in their educational environment, then their personal grades and progress is typically better. Having access to various perspectives and experiences creates more opportunities and reduces the mental efforts of students to try to understand future situations. Since both boys and girls are always ready to develop their skills and personality, when boys and girls are given access to each other at an earlier stage in a secured environment, like the school, then it makes it easier to adapt to changing conditions and acquiring skills while developing their personality to make it easier when they get older.

The co-Educational environment also bridges the equality gap. Our world has made a lot of efforts towards gender equality in the past. By creating mixed schools that offer equal opportunities to both genders, it helps to prove that both genders are equal and there is none better than the other. No one receives special treatment simply because they are boys or girls.

Nelson Mandela said and I quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Education is the weapon for change, while mixed gender schools creates the situation for gaining knowledge on proper implementation of this weapon. Mixed gender schools can prepare students for the real world, it prepares students to be able to use this weapon when the situation arises in the world.

Although, there are some advantages to consider with a same gender school [especially for boys] when considering class availability, personal interactions and acceptance, mixed gender schools provide more preparation for what will happen in real life. The average student interact with individuals from all gender identification throughout their day. It also helps to develop better communication skills. 

Looking back, co-Ed schools has help build a suitable individual for our society by not only making them comfortable with the opposite sexes in day to day life but also teaches then to respect and understand each other’s problems. There could be incidence of Eve-teasing in co-Ed schools, but it’s the responsibility of the school and family to stand by the victim firmly against such crimes. In my opinion, mixed schools will do more good than harm to the children of our society.  

BY: AHMED Fatimah, Year 11.