TTUTA: No To Same-Sex Schools

[TFM]

Last week there was an article in one of the major dailies that the Ministry of Education was considering the changeover of 20 selected schools to a same-sex educational environment.

On March 20, Newsday ran the verdict that TTUTA had rejected the proposal based on certain factors such as lack of information and consultation, cosmetic coverup of deeper issues, and psychological and social effects (mainly on males).

I agree 100% with the lack of information and consultation because let's face it, our authorities implement systems without research and work out the kinks after, costing us time, money and effectiveness.

I also agree that this is just a scape-goat for the government to try and deal with the bigger issues of rampant indiscipline and falling standards at our nation's schools.

However, I do not agree with TTUTA's reasoning of the effects it will have on students.

General Secretary Peter Wilson said: "There are many other factors to be considered...classrooms and schools in general are not just for academics but also for socialization to prepare young people for society. We already have problems with both sexes relating to each other...when they come out of those same-sex environment would they be prepared for the world outside of the school?"

Are you kidding me? Since when was the education system so vetted in maintaining the social relationships between males and females. I thought school was for education, not to "look for man/woman". What "socialization" is Wilson talking about? As far as I know, its all about sex and relationships in these problem schools. Who could be the manlier man or the more popular girl. It has nothing to do with proper communication that could help them in their future careers.

It is well-known public knowledge that same-sex schools produce more scholarship winners than traditional schools, so then why is "socialization" always the determining factor in whether it is healthy or not? I highly doubt that if someone doesn't go to school with a girl, it means he won't talk to one in public.

I think it all comes down to our society's views on heterosexuality and what is "gay" and what is "normal". Because of the ideas we have cultivated among the youth (especially the males) of society, none of them want to go to a same-sex school because they will be chided by their peers and have their sexuality attacked and questioned.

He did go on to say that "there are other contributing factors such as students from those schools come from higher social standings" to which I agree, because when you grow up in a more educated and cultured environment, you tend to be more aware and less affected by archaic social stereotypes.

So my question to you guys is...Would you let your son, daughter, brother, sister go to a same-sex school? WHY or WHY NOT?

 

[RauCous]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

I agree its not the time to experiment with the system especially since the only way to determine the effectiveness is to "play" with students chances at success.
I'm sure Karrie had no problem with going to her school, she seems more studious than the average student to me, but she sometimes talks about the gay stuff that goes on there. (I guess being gay is better than being pregnant lol. I'm just kidding.)
Sexuality in developing children will always happen regardless of the system we use, If thats the ONLY reason they see fit, this proposal is too drastic.
Most same sex schools in Trinidad are religious, why not suggest that all schools become religious, its like every time you see the top common entrance schools its religious girls schools too, using what works only works when you do everything that works. but like i said too drastic, and some will be hesitant to indoctrinating their children.
We need more information to determine the feasibility of this, but from my experience so far in a coed college girls still appear to be more motivated, so i try to work with one whenever i can, if a same sex school can make boys more focused on learning, then it should show result. But that system would need to be tweaked and engineered especially for boys,the problem is not all boys learn the same way, every student has a different temperament for academics regardless of gender.
If you catered for the different styles of learning and actually use learning aids, then any school would be successful, our education is way too linear for me, either you automatically get stuff, or you need lessons. You should NEVER need supplementary lessons, practice yes, study yes, but not to learn stuff you should get from school. This is a big indicator that schools just don't do the basics well.

 

[TFM]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

I'm sure Karrie had no problem with going to her school, she seems more studious than the average student to me, but she sometimes talks about the gay stuff that goes on there.

One of the many stereotypes of same-sex schools. Homosexuality. I went to an all-boys high school for seven years and never once was aware of any gay behaviour going on. Going to school with a bunch of people your own gender does not change your sexuality. Girls in particular tend to be more open with their female friends at all-girls schools, holding hands and hugging, but that does not equate into them being gay. I'm not saying that there aren't any gay students, the ratios determine there must be, but it is equivalent across the board, not just in same-sex schools.

Most same s-e_x schools in Trinidad are religious, why not suggest that all schools become religious, its like every time you see the top common entrance schools its religious girls schools too, using what works only works when you do everything that works. but like i said too drastic, and some will be hesitant to indoctrinating their children.

I disagree. The only reason most of these schools are religious is because they were traditionally founded by religious groups. Religion does not control their curriculum (in most cases). If you are not of the religion that school goes by, you are not forced to participate therefore there is no indoctrination.

We need more information to determine the feasibility of this, but from my experience so far in a coed college girls still appear to be more motivated, so i try to work with one whenever i can, if a same s-e_x school can make boys more focused on learning, then it should show result. But that system would need to be tweaked and engineered especially for boys,the problem is not all boys learn the same way, every student has a different temperament for academics regardless of gender.

But while Trinidad has not done the research, extensive international research is available which prove that same-sex schools due work. One case that particularly stood out to me during my research was of Thurgood Marshall School in Washington where indiscipline among males was extremely high. After the principal changed over to same-sex system, indiscipline reports dropped more than 90% and in assessment exams, boys went from 10-30% to 73% and placed first in the state for writing with the same teachers, same students, same curriculum, just same sex system. Also, more reports prove that students who were diagnosed with ADD or school-related learning disabilities in co-ed school became excellent and sometimes honour students in same-sex schools. Read more research here: http://www.singlesexschools.org/researc ... vscoed.htm.

At the end of the day, the system is proven to work exceedingly well, either if the school and students have always been same-sex, or if you change a co-ed school to same-sex overnight.

 

[Wyspa]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

You have made some very arguable points there TFM. Kudos. But where i disagree is that it is indeed important for male youths to learn to socialize with the opposite s-e-x. School is indeed for learning, yes i 100% agree. But learning comes in a variety of forms. It's not just academics. Believe it or not Socialization is a very important factor in co-ed school. Now I'm not condoning the fact that our male youths are more interested in females from an angle of sexuality. Vital socialization skills are indeed learned at schools. With the proper guidance firstly from Parents then teachers, our male students indeed have the capability to treat girls with respect and focus on their work. It has to be a collective effort to change the mindset of our male youths. The problems goes deeper than that. Males are brainwashed into thinking that girls are for sexual pleasure only. It's what they see, listen to and learn from the media. I'm not shifting blame here. All i'm saying that, there are other factors to consider before just making a vague un-infromed decision to implement same-s-e-x system.
While there may be success in the same-s-e-x system, the same can be said for co-ed schools also.

 

[TFM]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

Don't get me wrong, I agree about the points made about socialization and its importance. I'm not nullifying that position at all or saying co-ed schools produce less successful students, because a smart student is smart anywhere you put them.

I'm just prioritizing here. With the state of indiscipline in our society among youths, a decision must be made. As a communications major, I know first hand how important it is for a person to have people skills and how to relate to other human beings, and school life definitely provides this vital interaction. But school is not the only area where this socialization can take place. We must not sacrifice education, health and safety in the name of socialization especially when our systems have been failing for years to provide and protect teachers and students entrusted to them.

If school teaches such important lessons of communication in its current state, then WHY are they in such a mess now?

I think if they want to keep the co-ed system, they need to completely overhaul everything especially the way teachers deal with all students, both male and female. It only takes one bad teacher and bad habits to spoil children into disrespecting other teachers and disrespecting other students.

I don't think the decision to implement the same-sex system is uninformed, because there is obviously a plethora of information available proving its feasibility, just not local information. There is Caribbean-based information though from Marlene Hamilton for research done in Jamaica for the book "International Science Education".

But like I said in my first post, do I think they should implement it now? No. But should they put things in place to change over some schools. YES. Like I said, my issue was with the psychological reasoning, not the need for consultations.

 

[madsuya]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

to do research dey must come durin sch hrs an c d students in dey full glory!!! most of d school will probably b very close to each other eg junior & senior an boys will reach home late an girls will too!!! sayin d bus didn't come, dey will find time to meet after school, i c dem every day dragin tongue outside d compound an wen dere perents comes dey would let go of d hands an pretend dey just have ah company, so same sex school will only help d school STAFF!!! parent will b in trouble coz it's not going to b no Naps or Pres nah it's still will be d same JUNIOR SEC BEHAVIOR.......so ah sayin NO to same sex sch....but bring bk DISCIPLINE!!!

 

[LadyDeath]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

Well its like 7 years now i goin to a all-girls school and lemme tell allure something the environment is quite safe, productive, calm and do you know why? The absence of boys there we can be ourselves and not comb our hair and focus on our work and don't have to worry about anyone watching us in the wrong way etc..I am not saying anything i jus telling everyone how a. all girls school is..Imagine in some boys and girls school the principal does have to separate them to talk about hygiene and stuff but with a all-girls or boys school there is nothing like that . You see if students have nothing to study like the opposite sex for whatever reasons then it might be a better environment for them. Jus my opinion

 

[TFM]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

Yeh Karrie that's what I think too. I never bothered about shaving or looking "good" when I was going to school. I did my work with little to no distractions. I guess at the end of the day, some won't be able to understand how efficient the system is unless they were actually in it.

But I welcome their idea of having more discussions about it, I hope they come to a reasonable and workable decision.

 

[LadyDeath]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

yupps i tell you i doh even bother to comb hair and stuff...girls jus come how they feel comfortable and sometimes we pull chair and make a bed and sleep in class when we feeling sleepy not bothering who see because it's just girls...i know most boys school and all they even talk their shit and not have anyone to feel offended. the environment is just cleaner

 

[TFM]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

Yeh, rel shite talk does go on. I mean it was not perfect. Yeh there were fights now and then, but no where as much as these schools we are hearing about and not as serious.

 

[Wyspa]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

The times when you were going to school is alot different from the present batch... The pupils attitude and mentality have further deteriorated since then...

 

[TFM]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

That's somewhat true. It's been three years since I left Fatima, but Karrie is still going to school there, no?

 

[LadyDeath]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

Still going to an all girls school and its my last yr of seven years ...n i will miss it alot...no sleeping on chairs, running halls with no shoes on , lolling off with your foot on the desks...

 

[madsuya]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

same sex sch worked well as colleges an its all gd but no way wit d lower income an poorer class folks!!! today parents came in sch to change places for students, just look at chag north an south sec...can u realy tell me same sex sch will work there...hell NO, dat sch fence still have bg holes in d wire an at d bk grounds, kids will give d staff pressure.....if d sch was further apart it may work but not so close...ppl dont kno wat dey kids do out dere!!!

 

[TFM]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

Yeh, it will definitely be more difficult. It is hard changing the way an entire community thinks, but I think that is why they're selecting schools...it's not a nationwide changeover. I'm looking to see when the talked-about consultations going to take place.

 

[RauCous]

Re: TTUTA: No To Same-s-e_x Schools

What's the word on this now that elections are going on?

 

[admin]

Elections finish, anyone knows whats really going on, are they going to make most school same sex schools?