All Girls/Boys Schools Vs. Co-eds.
The British might have gotten it right. Teenagers with raging hormones - Hmmmmmm - I think its best if we separate them so that they can actually learn something. All-Boys Schools and All-girls Schools I think stems from a brilliant idea. It just makes sense. There are already so many distractions in schools, what with the latest fashions, peer pressure - then you have to think about the opposite sex - all while trying to solve that algebra problem.
Going from a co-ed elementary school to a All-Girls high school was a huge difference for me. First of all you feel special because this club was not for everyone - only girls allowed. Secondly, less distractions - the environment was right for learning. Thirdly - good social atmosphere - not this big competition for the opposite sex' attention. And last but not least, like most all-girls and all-boys schools in Jamaica, it had a religious foundation. Religion was not forced on you, but there was assembly in the morning and that gave a sense of fellowship and belonging.
Wearing uniforms is another aspect of school that came from the British system. One, which many think, is also a good idea. It gives students from any one particular school a sense of camaraderie, belonging and, hopefully, pride.
The statistics for high school drop out rates are alarming these days. Why is this? Is the work load too overwhelming? Is it that the kids are not motivated? Are there too many distractions? Someone mentioned that we have to bring back apprenticeship and hands on vocational skills, like wood work, mechanics and even home economics.
I don't know what its going take to save our kids, from dropping out of school, but maybe we need to look into other alternatives like charter schools and maybe All Girls and All Boys schools to instill some discipline and pride.
Comments