Do students learn better in single sex classrooms?

A few schools view single-sex education as a fix to boost student performance, but does that justify separating children on the basis of their gender. While the head of an all girls’ school says that it brings about a sense of comfort and students tend to express better, a Principal of a school that abandoned single-sex education says that not everyone benefits from single-sex education and there is a pressure to act in a certain way.

“Single-sex schools are often said to provide better education and promote a stronger self-image among students. Boys may learn better if girls are not around and vice-versa. There are certain concepts which can be taught without any hesitancy or without the students having to feel uncomfortable,” said the Vice-Principal of an all girls’ school.

Single-Sex education was the norm in years gone by, while those backing it argue that boys and girls don’t just learn differently but could also be a distraction to each other. But is that really the case? Jyothsna Vaya, a teacher says that single sex-education prevents gender distractions in the classroom. “When children reach a certain age, having students of the opposite gender in the same classroom becomes a distraction.

Instead of focusing on the subject that is being taught, students are focusing on their feelings. It’s better to not have mixed genders at that age group as it will benefit them,” she added. While its detractors say such an arrangement may lead to issues like hampering the overall development of the child amongst various other issues. “Real world is not segregated on the basis of gender.

You may have an option to choose between a single-gender school and a co-ed school but in the long-run you are not provided that option. It limits the possibility of learning how to coexist. Boys and girls in the single gender classroom environment will one day be working with the opposite sex in a professional environment.

For example, employees don’t have an option to work with a gender of their choice, you work in a team of mixed gender and that’s when it becomes very uncomfortable for the person who is exposed to such an environment. So without a co-ed classroom, learning how to work cooperatively with the opposite sex becomes a needed skill that they will lack in the long-run,” underscored Anna Susan, a student from IIT, who studied in a girls’ school.

It is not just institutions which are offering such an education system but parents are equally responsible as it is them who make the choice and not the children. “Children end up dealing with such a situation only because at that young age it is parents who make that decision for them and they have no chance to oppose.

I think it makes sense to give children the broadest and most beneficial learning experience that also includes socialisation, something that's harder to accomplish in a single-gender environment,” said Harika Reddy, a student counselor. Many also highlight that teachers may not be equipped for a single-gender classroom teaching. Some teaching styles might turn out to be damaging.

Like assertive girls and sensitive boys would not benefit from the single-gender classroom educational system. “There is a possibility that the teachers could be judgmental. A teacher might have a set perception about boys and may deal with the child in a harsh manner.

For example, a sensitive boy might be intimidated by a teacher who speaks loudly and may fear coming to school, while the teacher could reason that’s how boys need to be dealt with,” says Mercy Priya, a mother of two children. However, the ultimate goal of every educational institution, be it single-sex or co-ed school, is to offer the best learning environment to children.

By:NAVATHA Y