Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Co Education in Closing the Gender Gap

As parents, we make many crucial decisions for our children. But selecting the right school is one of the most important of them all!

From location to class size, facilities, and gender preferences, we notice all big and small details before making a final choice. India has the world’s largest schooling system with a network of 1.4 million single-gender and coeducational schools. But what is the real difference between these options?

And why should we care about these differences before shortlisting the final school?

Let’s dig deeper into this topic and explore all this today!

How Can We Define Coeducational?

When male and female students study in the same institution (under the same roof), it is called coeducational. We can also define coeducational or co ed as a practice of eliminating gender discrimination to extend educational opportunities across all genders.

Now that we know what is co ed, let’s move on to a detailed overview.

What is Co-Education and How Does It Differ from Single Gender Education?

A coeducational institution allows male and female students to attend their academic programs. On the contrary, single-gender institutions enroll students of a single gender (either male or female students).

As per common perceptions, both these institution types have their individual merits and drawbacks. However, modern stakeholders trust the mixed education system more than the single-gender institutions (despite the advantages and disadvantages of co education).

If we go by the numbers, India had 97.2% co ed schools (0.8% only boys and 2.0 only for girls) by 2021-22.

What is the History of Co Ed Education?

The history of this modern phenomenon dates back to the 18^th century. Back then, the United States and Europe started enrolling girls in the same schools as boys. Since then, this practice has taken over the global education system. And today, a huge network of co ed education schools is helping boys and girls to achieve their educational goals as equals!

In a world where we battle with numerous hurdles to achieve gender parity, mixed education advantages prepare both genders for a better future.

What is co ed? And how does it help students in adulthood (global workplace and society)?

Let’s discover!

What are the Types of Co-Education?

The types of co ed education are primary, secondary (including higher secondary), and university levels.

Co ed schooling gives an edge at the primary level. At this formative stage, mixed education helps students develop a sense of support, thereby promoting mutual respect across genders.

At the upcoming stages from adolescence to adulthood (post-secondary), this practice prepares student for their roles in adulthood, such as workplace etiquette, collaboration across genders, societal roles, etc. At each stage, mixed education helps students appreciate the diversity around them.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Co-Education

Advantages

Better Academic Achievements

The Directorate of Education shared enlightening data that proves mixed education advantages. In Delhi, girl’s schools had a pass percentage of 82%, boys’ schools barely touched a mark of 74.8% in the CBSE class 10 results (2019). This data proved the academic edge of coeducational institutions. In the same year, co-ed schools surpassed single-gender schools with a pass percentage of 88.1% in the class X results!

Below is the table that shows a similar trend wherein co-ed schools had a better pass percentage in CBSE exams (in both classes X and XII in 2019).

Class	Coed School	Girls	Boys
X	88.10%	82%	74.80%
XII	98.03%	97.42%	93.42%

The Advantage to Well-Adjusted Individuals

Living in the 21^st century is quite different from the yesteryears. Today, the world needs more adaptable, empathetic, mature, and adjusted individuals to make it big in the globalized society. Co ed education makes students more comfortable with the opposite gender. Mixed education widens the scope of friendships and promotes better discussions as well. This practice also exposes students to unique cross-gender perspectives that are hard to find in any same-gender school.

Today as women share the same stage in almost all workplaces, cross-gender communication is an essential skill.

Challenges Stereotypes to Protect Human Rights

We already know that there is an impact of gender stereotypes in our lives, but to what extent?

Before we move on, let’s discover this impact.

In Indian society, gender stereotypes are a barrier to the community and hamper our economic growth due to the lack of women’s participation.

Here’s some important data about gender discrimination and the related barriers!

20% of the Indian women participated in the workforce, which is only 50% compared to the global average (40%).
Each day, women spend around 352 minutes doing unpaid work, this is almost 24% of the entire day (1440 minutes in a day).
72% of the Indian population supports equal rights for women. Please refer to the table below for a country-wise comparison.

Country	% supporting gender equality
Sweden	96%
Canada	93%
Netherlands	92%
UK	92%
Argentina	91%
India	72%

With these stark realities, there is an urgent need to raise progressive generations that can challenge gender stereotypes. And protect the human rights of our women population.

Co ed education has it all!

In a mixed classroom, stakeholders promote a progressive thought process that can contribute to an egalitarian society. Research also supports that coeducational institutions have the ability to carry out actions that can transmit the value system based on traditional gender roles. In this way, mixed education advantages seamlessly cascade to nation-building.

Now coming to the flip side, the downsides of co ed education.

Disadvantages of Co Ed Education

Distractions in Adolescence

When we define coeducational, we often on mixed education advantages. But ignore the drawbacks. At the crucial adolescence stages, gender separation also has some advantages.

Romantic relationships and infatuation in adolescence have negative implications on one’s academic achievements. And we have data to prove this!

A study shows:

46% of male and 38% of female students experienced romantic relationships.
74% of girls and 56% of boys knew the negative impact of romantic relationships on their academic performance (some more findings below).

Comfort Levels

In the presence of the opposite gender (such as in coeducational institutions), it is likely that many students feel intimidated and uncomfortable. This fear discourages them from asking questions. And many students also find it difficult to concentrate in class due to negative peer pressure because of the opposite gender. Naturally, single-gender institutions are free from these barriers. These institutions make students more comfortable in the classroom (in both traditional and online schools).

Final Words

In this rapidly changing world, coeducational institutions create a natural learning environment to prepare students for real-life situations. But like anything else, they too have their negatives.

Today when India has a mix of futuristic schooling choices like international and 100% online schools, parents must validate the advantages and disadvantages of co education carefully. Selecting the right school is a deciding factor in shaping a child’s life as a competent and well-adjusted individual. So put in your time and effort to make a choice that truly helps your child in the future!

Thanks for Reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is co education?
When male and female students study under the same roof together it is called co education.
Define coeducational.
Coeducational institutions allow enrollments for both male and female students in the same programs. These institutions complete all learning processes (including teacher-led classes) with a mix of both genders i.e. boys and girls.
What are some mixed education advantages?
Mixed education gives students more perspective about different opinions. And help them to grow as more adaptable and well-adjusted individuals.