On Board for School

We weigh in on the pros and cons on choosing the right boarding school for your kids

- Gregory Basil

Oftentimes when the term “boarding school” is mentioned, images of fun, excitement and adventure like those illustrated by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series are conjured up.

However, before any kind of fun and adventure for the student can start, parents need to undergo the rigorous task of determining if they want to send their children to a co-ed or single-sex boarding school.

While on the surface this may seem like a simple enough decision to make, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration before they make their choice.

CO-ED EDUCATION 

A co-ed boarding school is a schooling system where boys and girls learn and live together on the same campus. One of the main advantages is how it prepares students for the future, as they learn to co-exist and interact with both sexes, which is a mandatory life skill as they move on to tertiary education and subsequently, the working world.

By attending classes and participating in activities together, students will learn to appreciate and understand the similarities and differences between both genders. In addition, it helps promote mutual respect towards each other and reduce discrimination and stereotyping as they grow up with the understanding that both genders are equal and that a person’s gender does not determine their successes.

As arguments are bound to occur in schools, the workplace and home environment, a co-ed environment allows girls and boys learn to express themselves, share their views, and expose them to different viewpoints. They will be able to use this skill in the real world, and at the same time it helps them develop self-esteem and confidence when interacting with the opposite sex.