The age-old debate between the merits of single-sex schools versus co-educational is pertinent in Hong Kong, where there are many prestigious single-sex institutions. The paired Diocesan Boys' and Diocesan Girls' schools spring to mind.
Despite the illustrious nature of such Hong Kong institutions, Janet Hyde, from the University of Wisconsin, has shown that the benefits of studying in co-educational schools often outweigh the disadvantages. The principal advantage is that students learn to interact in the real world.
If we separate the sexes, males and females will feel a perpetual need to contact each other.
The jury is out on whether single-sex schools really boost boys' overall results
Hyde and other like-minded researchers have argued that it is only natural for males and females to seek each other out, not necessarily in a sexual sense, but simply to learn how to form a society together. We need to learn to build, to create and to sustain a wider community in partnership.
But it is clear that the results of most studies on co-educational versus single-sex schools are equivocal. The jury is out on whether single-sex schools really boost boys' overall results, and particularly girls' mathematics and science results.
While some studies purport to show that girls achieve more in mathematics and science in a single-sex environment, other researchers have said that any success has stemmed from a demanding curriculum and an emphasis on extracurricular activities. These positive features would have been evident irrespective of whether the opposite sex was present.
So it is possible that students could reap rewards from single-sex education, but it is not certain.
There is no precise recipe. Combinations of ingredients would seem to be necessary for any educational magic to occur. Besides, any magic is just as likely in a co-educational setting.