As local universities gradually move from segregated classes towards co-education, a debate has been sparked on how to strike a balance between cultural values and academic development. Notes did a cover story on March 1, on how the decision by some UAE universities to allow mixed sex classes is causing a stir among students and parents alike. Gulf News readers seem to approve of the concept, however, with much needed caveats. Have you studied in a co-education institution? How has it impacted your personality? Share your views with us at readers@gulfnews.com.
Mixed-sex classes at university level help young people be more confident when going into the workplace.
Co-education is extremely helpful in developing the personality of students. In fact, I would advocate it to be considered for schools as well. It leads to better understanding among boys and girls and makes it easier for them to interact. I am working in the retail sector, and it is crucial to communicate with ease. Students at university are helped greatly if the classes are with both boys and girls.
Jameel Ahmad
Dubai
Co-education is extremely important for the overall development of students. If you do not study in a co-education school, compatibility and adaptability becomes very difficult. In fact, moving to co-education in your latter part of teenage years becomes difficult, and should be started at the foundation itself.
Anushri Verma
Dubai
Co-education is really helpful as you get to interact with the opposite sex and are better equipped to deal with any differences in opinion or behaviour. You are better prepared to be a part of a workplace if you are comfortable interacting in a mixed environment.
Anand K Govindan
Dubai
I think co-education helps people become more confident. I did not study in a co-education school and have a shy personality. However, now I'm at university and can talk to people more easily. In a co-education environment you feel more relaxed and confident, which is extremely helpful when you work.
Shalvin Venugopal
Sharjah
Co-education at school level is not advisable as there is not enough mental maturity among pupils.
Co-education helps children adjust to mixed society. Even at home, siblings are raised together, so why should segregation be enforced at school? Both boys and girls gain social maturity through valuable interactive play and learning. They learn to communicate and behave with the opposite sex. Also, a spirit of co-operation and competition thrives in the co-education system.
Rachna Goel
Dubai
Having attended an all-boys school, I'd say a co-education school allows your child to have exposure to the opposite sex right from the outset. A spirit of co-operation and healthy competition thrives in such an environment, too. One's decision on choosing a good school should not be on the basis of its being single-sex or co-ed but on the quality of education and teachers that it offers.
Isaac Koshy
Dubai
In today's environment, where the world has become a big global village, it is in schools and universities where the young minds of the next generation are moulded. Therefore, it is imperative they are moulded in the right way. A co-education system is best to initiate this process, as it helps them to be more patient and considerate towards views of mates from the other sex.
Ghanshyam Vasudeo Vyas
Dubai
I do not think there is any harm in having co-education. However, there needs to be the right kind of discipline to ensure it is not detrimental to the child's development. Ideally, I'd prefer segregation at earlier stages of life, so children can focus on studies. The school and teachers play a crucial role in ensuring that boys and girls are able to study with the focus needed.
Mahnaaz Sheikh
Dubai
A mixed classroom means the shyer boys and girls will not speak up and be left behind.
I have taught in a co-education school for 10 years, having studied in one myself. In senior school, pupils go through a lot of hormonal changes, and I believe they are unable to develop as healthy individuals if they do not interact normally with the opposite sex. They are crude with their interaction because of minimal exposure. As for the shyer students.. it is the responsibility of the teachers to ensure they are allowed to speak.
Gurpreet Modi
Sharjah
I do not think having separate classes is practical or feasible today. While I support the concept of co-education, both parents and the school authorities should make sure students focus on academics and limit any needless interaction after school hours. I doubt there would be a problem with shyer children not speaking up in classes, as children nowadays are quite confident.
Aatta Khaleel
Dubai
Instead of stopping the shyer students from speaking up, a co-education school would help them develop a complete personality. I think it would be especially beneficial for women as they would get a chance to know their life partner better if they were comfortable interacting. I feel such schools not only help students academically but have a very positive impact on society.
Zahra Jama Saleh
Sharjah
Co-education should be introduced in schools. I studied in such a school and feel it makes girls and boys comfortable with each other. Also, it helps remove needless taboos that are attached with interacting in a mixed-gender environment. They know each other's problems better and are familiar with the each other. Shy students would also get over their fears and start interacting.
Jayant Jagannath Sathe
Dubai
Co-education creates a better and balanced academic environment.
It is a natural imitation of the outside world. There anybody is just viewed as a friend or classmate. The boys and girls gain social maturity through interactive play and shared learning. It helps dissolve the fear of socialising with the opposite sex and promotes the concept of equality between the sexes. Society, the world of work and relationships, are all built upon positive co-operation between people, irrespective of their gender.
Ligy Arun
Dubai
Boys and girls learn to socialise with each other more easily. Also, the sporting and social dimension broaden easily. Other aspects of life in school like debates can benefit. Brothers and sisters can go to a single institution, so parents don't have the hassle of searching for different ones. Most importantly, they learn to work together, because ultimately they'll have to work in a mixed-gender atmosphere.
Christopher Alphonso
Dubai
Co-education develops children's minds. The environment today asks for co-education as they need to know the mental setup of the other gender. I've seen children who have studied in both educational setups, and feel those in a co-education system are more open-minded. Children in segregated education systems face a lot of frustration. However, parents need to know where their children are going.
Faran Niaz
Dubai
I've studied in a co-education school and feel it helps pupils develop a better personality. While it may make a difference to the studies of a student who moves to a co-educational school later in life, I think the academic environment is better in a co-educational school. Children in a segregated school are unable to interact in a balanced way with the opposite sex.
Dhanya Dharmaraj
Abu Dhabi
- Compiled by Huda Tabrez/Community Web Editor
Next week's focus: Poetry and connection
Poetry lacks in mass appeal.
Movies and novels have killed the
popularity of poetry.
Promoting poetry through the internet will help take it to the masses.
More poetry needs to be taught
in schools for children to better
understand language.
Next poll:
How relevant is poetry to today's society?
-Extremely relevant
-Losing out to novels
-A dying art
-I am not a fan of poetry
To vote, log on to www.gulfnews.com
