Co-Education
| Advantages and Disadvantages
Co-education
means “educating the boys and girls in the same institution.” The idea has
become popular nowadays. In the past women, were considered inferior
creatures. They were thought fit for kitchen work. With the spread of education,
women have come out of the bondage of man's slavery. Now the young girl does
not find any shyness to get an education with the boys in the same institution.
The
idea of co-education is not supported by everyone. There are two groups of
thinkers. The supporters of co-education favor it on two grounds: economic and
sociological. It is said that Pakistan is a poor country. It cannot afford to
set up separate schools, colleges, and universities for boys and girls.
In
the second place, the mixing of young boys and girls in colleges and
universities will bring them close together. This will promote mutual
understanding between them. The boys will become tame in the company of girls.
The girls will shed off their shyness in the company of boys. Moreover, there will
be a healthy rivalry between both sexes as regards their study. Both
try to outdo each other.
The
opponents of co-education advance their own arguments against co-education.
They say that young girls and young boys pass through the most sentimental
period of their lives. The youth is blind. It has been proved practically that young
boys and girls leave their studies and waste their time in each other’s
company. In the company of boys, the girls give up their modesty and shyness and
become bold. Later, in married life, they give up their household duties. They
fall in love with each other and get married. In this way, their whole
educational career is spoiled.
The
group of thinkers has sound arguments. Let us study this problem in the light
of Islamic thought. Islam does not favor the mixing of boys and girls in
society. We know that our religion studies human nature in a just and fair
manner. It is balanced in its teachings. However, from a practical point, we
can encourage co-education at the primary stage. At the college level, it is
apprehended that young boys and girls may slip into the world of sin, corruption,
and moral laxity.
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