Essays

The co-education system has several advantages over the non co-educational system or a single sex education system. Having classes together is an excellent idea and is successful in most schools. Boys become aware of girls' abilities and vice versa. A spirit of co-operation and competition thrives in the co-educational system.

Girls and boys at a self conscious age take extra care of themselves. Growing up together and sharing activities such as dramatics, art and other things like socials, widen the students talents and a healthy atmosphere pervades in ail co-educational schools. The spirit of co-operation that grows between boys and girls makes it

easier later on t  adjust in a mixed society.

In co educational schools, generally the living hostels, dining rooms and

sports are separate- the boys having their own, and the girls their own- but other activities are common; like the classrooms are common, the labs are common, the  stage and theatre are common; the teachers are the same, the examinations are common to both. The morning assembly in all the residential co-educational schools has boys and girls singing and praying together. Often school friendships become lasting friendships and good co-educational schools also have their Old Boy's/Girls Society. This society organizes annual get together in a chosen city and old school mates gather and meet each other. From many point of views the co-educational system sounds to be the best system but there are other arguments.

Co-education is based on equality. But the plain truth is that boys and girls learn in different ways. Research shows that a girl's brain is different from a boy's brain. One size does not fit all. Co-education does not work for every child.

Many children thrive in a private single sex school. The social pressures are gentler. Your child can 'grow' at his own pace. Gender stereotypes are not a major factor. The faculty at single sex schools understand how their students learn. They adapt their teaching styles to those specific needs.

The conventional thinking thirty years ago was that co-education would break down gender stereotypes. That thinking turned out to be flawed. Boys in co-educational settings are less likely to take courses in the arts or tackle advanced academic subjects simply to avoid being typecast as a 'nerd'. Similarly girls avoid the sciences and technology subjects because they don't want to appear to be 'tomboys'. Private single sex schools are flourishing once again because parents have realized that learning is probably more important than being properly

socialized.

Boys tend to soften their competitive edge and become more collaborative in [ a single sex setting. They can just be 'boys' and not worry about what the 'girls' might think about them.

Girls drop their shyness and begin to take risks in a single sex schools. They become more competitive. They embrace sports like field hockey and soccer with  gusto without worrying about appearing like tomboys.

Girls relax enough to feel comfortable exploring non-traditional subjects such as mathematics, advanced sciences, computers and technology, wood-working and so on. Boys participate in choirs and orchestras and learn Latin in single sex settings. These are just a few examples of how children will break out of their stereotypical roles and behavior when they are left to their own devices. Single sex education has a delightful way of encouraging children to be fearless, to be curious, to be enthusiastic- in short, to just be themselves.

Boys have always felt a need to impress girls in the classroom. Girls usually feel as though the boys are always teasing them. Surely there is enough time in college and in later life to deal with social and other kinds of intercourse. Children are subjected to an avalanche of pressures from every quarter to become adults

before they are ready to do so in co-educational system. They grow up too quickly, Let them be children for a few more years. Single sex education with its gentler, more controlled social outlets is just the ticket for many children.

Boys thrive in a single sex academic setting for many reasons. With no girls to 'impress', boys can get on with being themselves. Conformity gives way to , individuality. They feel free to explore subjects like languages and the arts without fear of ridicule. Sexual stereotypes fade into the background. Macho posturing

yields to sensitive dialogue.

Educating boys and girls in single sex settings is not an assault on equal rights. It is an opportunity which ultimately will enhance equality by allowing boys and girls to develop their own unique characters. A single sex school allows boys to explore art, drama and music without fear of being a freak in front of his feminine

peers. A boys' school develops a boy's uniqueness and his individuality. Teachers in a boys' school can teach effectively in ways which reach boys and appeal to their learning style.

Both the systems; co-education and single sex schooling have their own merits and demerits, depending upon the choice, one can choose.

Vocabulary

1. conventional—usual, standard, regular; 2. avalanche—strike, carry, or envelope; 3. soften—make more gentle or refined; 4. thrive—get ahead, make progress; 5. arguments—dispute, wrangle, clash, altercation; 6. stereotypes—standardize, label, tag, categorize; 7. probably—perhaps, may be, it may be; 8. tend—nurse, wait on, watch over;

9. gusto—enjoyment, delight, passion, zest: 10. enthusiastic—excited, keen, eager. passionate; II. ultimately—finally, in the end, eventually, at last; 12. ridicule—mockery, scorn, derision; 13. assault—attack, physical attack, beating mugging; 14. explore—travel around, discover, walk around; I5. feminine—female, womanly.