by G. Lee

Created on: January 26, 2010

During my school days, I attended a single-sex primary school and did my secondary studies in a co-educational school. Having experienced both types of schools, I have weighed the pros and cons and have decided that without a doubt, co-educational schools are better.

The main advantage of a co-educational school, better known as a "co-ed" school, is that it encourages competition between boys and girls. Both sexes naturally will compete against each other in exams and that competitive spirit will encourage everyone to do their best.

When everybody is vying to be the best, even the lazy pupils will pull up their socks as they would not want to be left behind. As everybody is working harder to obtain better grades, the school will see dramatically improved results. The main source of motivation for students to work hard is when they see that everyone is progressing ahead, and if they do not go along, they will lose out.

Besides this, I feel that a student studying in a "co-ed" school will benefit from exposure to the other sex. Studying in the single-sex school will not benefit a student much in terms of obtaining social skills. In a "co-ed" environment, both sexes get to interact with one another. They therefore get a different perspective of things as well as learn to understand one another better. With the interaction in class, even the shyest student will feel comfortable with the opposite sex and can soon work together normally.

I feel that, due to lack of exposure, some students from single-sex schools tend to have a warped view of the opposite sex as they do not understand the opposite sex enough. Being in a "co-ed" school does not mean socializing with the opposite sex only. It means that a student can maintain a balance when choosing friends and learn to treat everyone the same.

Also, I really think being in a "co-ed" school promotes better behavior. Boys are naturally rough by nature and girls more gentle. When both sexes interact, the boys tend to tone down their behavior so that the girls will be friends with them. I feel that some boys in single-sex schools do not know how to behave when they meet girls. Some act like hooligans and make cat-calls when, in fact, if they were in a "co-ed" school, they would be above all that. Therefore, I think that students from "co-ed" schools will be more mature and behave in a more politically-correct fashion!

In conclusion, I must stress that I was the recipient of all these advantages. By studying in a "co-ed" school, I have matured in many ways and I can vouch that co-education is more beneficial than being in a single-sex school.

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