Co-education

Education and knowledge is the only asset that you cannot loose and no one can take it
away from you
Co-education is a system of education in which students of both genders receive their
education together in the same classroom, school, colleges, faculty or university. Now-a-days,
in most of the countries boys and girls get education together in school, colleges and
universities.
Though co-education is common in European countries. It is not so in Pakistan. The idea of co-
education in our country has become a controversial issue. The supporters of this system of
education heap up big arguments in its favors. They advocate its practice at large scale. While
another group of people considers it a lethal weapon against our golden Islamic and social
traditions. Co-education has advantages as well as disadvantages.
There is here, as in all countries, advantages and disadvantages
In Pakistan we have co-education in primary schools, in colleges and post graduate classes. In
high schools it is not considered advisable to run combined classes.
In this country, much may be said in favor of co-education, because our country is a
developing country. The economy of county is fragile. How can we afford to have separate
colleges for girls all over the country? It is not possible to build and equip separate laborites,
medical schools and industrial schools for girls. There is an increasing demand for the
education of women. Lack of funds, scarcity of good teachers, inadequacy of buildings is some
of the hurdles that stands in the way of having separate institutes for girls. Co-education is the
only alternative to meet this demand
Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire
Second, this system promotes fierce competition in studies between boys and girls. It arouses
a passion for work in them. The girls endeavor to beat the boys and vice versa. It is due to this
stiff competition that the students demonstrate uncanny skills in learning.
It has been well said:
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hoper breeds peace
Third, co-education promotes character building activities among the students. It helps them
to have their character larger than life. They become sensible a sagacious. By a close
association their mutual shyness is removed and they begin ton understand each other better,
the zest for competition in stronger among genders. In the presence of girls, the male students
generally behave well and this self-improves restriction makes better of them. they learn to
respect the girls; they treat them in polite manner. On the other hand, the girls develop a kind
of confidence. They become less weak, limited and bashful. In this way both succeed in
creating a pleasant and peaceful environment for education
Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in world’s work, and power to
appreciate life.
Another persuasive argument presented in favor of co-education is that in the present era, no
society can afford to confine their women within the walls of house. When women have to
participate in social setup, why should they not be prepared for that earlier. And for this
training no place is better than the educational institutes.
We should impart education to both genders without showing any discrimination
It has been observed that the real reason why some people support co-education is that they
like western culture. They want to become more English because west has co-education, so
they must have it.
Co-education creates a feeling of comradeship
On the other side, there are those who oppose this system of education, they opine that the
supporters of this system are given to self-deception. If we analyze the social system of those
countries where co-education is vague, we come to know that the golden traditions of honors
and nobility no more exist there. Instead young boys and girls fall prey of the uncontrollable
passions of lust and lechery
In this way, educational institutions become the showgrounds of sinning. The physical effect of
co-education is also not healthy. Mixing of grown-up boys and grown-up girls at the colleges
and at the universities cause a great disturbance.
There are countless sex attractions in human body. A young human figure with all its beauty,
charms, appearance and style attracts the opposite gender. And particularly, in youth, people
are attracted to the affairs of the heart. So free mixing of both the genders instead of creating
a poise of mind makes them restless.
Some teachers also argue that there are certain subjects which can be taught in the presence
of both boys and girls with mental reservations only. And the teacher, who feels
embarrassment in the course of his lecture can hardly justice to the subject.
To conclude, the main purpose of education is to prepare the youth for life. Man and women
are two of wheels of vehicle of life. So both should be trained and educated equally. But that
does not mean that co-education should be encouraged. The problems of women are different
from men, therefore, syllabus designed for women should be different from the men. The
native of this responsibilities are also different. Therefore, they should not be taught the same
syllabus in the same institutions.
If co-education is necessary, we should adopt it only at secondary level. By adopting this
system on higher secondary level we will only be able to promote vulgarity in our society.
To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.