Co-education means imparting education to boys and girls through common classrooms, schools and colleges. In earlier times there were separate institutions for boys and girls. It was then thought that combining of the sexes would not be conducive for education. All the societies of the world practised sex-apartheid in ancient times. The association of males and females was considered unhealthy which only led to scandals. But as the human society progressed along it dawned on it that male-female relationship was a natural phenomenon. There was no devil in it. Thus, better sense began to prevail.
Over the ages the societies had grown several prejudices. The women were considered inherently inferior to men and not worthy of any privileges or equal rights. The prejudices had resulted in gross imbalances and gender bias in societies. It did not make any sense and people began to realise the folly and processes to give women equal status in every walk of life came to be set in motion.
Co-education was one of the natural acts to put the sexes on equal pedestal. Female were no more considered unworthy of same education as the males. In the western countries co-education was introduced in the end of the 19th century. It proved a success. The system was economical as there no more was duplicated expenditure on buildings, staff and other facilities. The interaction between boys and the girls showed other positive results. The sexes were no more suspicious of each other. The exchange of ideas between the students of different genders inculcated positive and normal attitudes. A healthy mindset was building up. The boys and girls were more respectful to each other.
The co-education system was introduced in India also during the British rule. After independence, our leaders encouraged co-education system as it was economical and our country was cash strapped. The bigger reason was that in our society the status of women was very low and the prejudices against the weaker sex abounded. The womenfolk bore the brunt of the social evils. If was felt that co-education would bring down the bars of the prejudices. It could give boys and girls better chance to appreciate each other through improved understanding. Traditionally, women led a segregated lives in our society and homes. They were treated as different kind of creatures. This misconcept had created great imbalance in the lives of Indians, society and every other field of activity. Co-education was a must to undo this imbalance and give our society a healthy look. The common schooling of boys and girls to a large extent, responsible for the progress Indian women are making in every fields of life. Co-education gives the two sexes natural chance to understand each other closely because they are bound to share life the social order, political and administrative life and responsibilities. For the balanced advancement of the country men and women must march together in one step shouldering equal responsibilities.
Some people think that co-education corrupts the minds of the boys and girls. It is also said that the presence of women affects the work output of men as they prove unnecessary distraction. But these arguments don’t pass the test. There were more sex-scandals and amorous escapades in the society when co-education was not there. Such ideas are borne by those people who have sexist minds which is not normal.
