Vinoba Gunnoo
14 September 2007
Port Louis — The resistances of the parents of the Nouvelle France State College to opt for mixed education has once again reopened the debate on the question of mixed education which has since long been left in the drawer of the competent authorities. The operation of separate colleges for boys and girls has again been put into question.
To what extent has it solved the present problems in state colleges be it boys or girls? Has this decision brought in results that were expected? Do we need to reintroduce mixed education if we want to go for a world class education system? These are among some of the questions that are now being raised.
We need not be experts in pedagogy in order to identify the benefits which are attached to a system of mixed education. I am quite acquainted with both types of students and it took me not so much time to draw a conclusion on the disparity in their personality development and behaviours. Raj Meetarbhan in his Edito "Apprendre ensemble" of 12 September 2007 stated some of the benefits to which I totally agree.
Are more National Schools or other Star Schools, whose existence I am personally quite reluctant to accept, going to solve the existing problems of indiscipline, drugs, alcohol consumption among some girls or "tourner des clips de mauvais goût"? How will the Ministry of Education solve these problems which are becoming quite
alarming? What about mutual respect that should exist between boys and girls? Is this fading out? Who is responsible for this degradation? Shakuntala Hawoldar once stated on the occasion of the Gandhi Day. I quote "No education system can function properly if there is no that mutual respect between the male and female sex". Is it not amazing and beautiful to see an education system where boys and girls cohabitate harmoniously? Is this not essential for their future, be it at their workplace or in their married lives. Is this not the key to all the existing problems?
I firmly believe in a system of education where emphasis is laid on personality development, music, mutual respect of the opposite sex, where youngsters who are in search of their identity are properly guided. Above all, a place where gender parity is respected. All these factors are vital if we want to go towards a world class education.
The debate is once again open, so why not give it a big thought.
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