What happens if we separate boys and girls into different classes

At a school in Russia, teachers decided to conduct an unusual experiment, separating boys and girls into different classes. O awesome.club shows what were the results of this experience.

The school has already released the first results of the survey, which began in 2014. The teachers of the experimental classes are convinced that the separation only during classes, in the classrooms, provided positive results.

At this school, boys and girls attend most classes separately, but, as stated, are educated without segregation during breaks between classes, recess, physical education, cafeteria, field trips and extracurricular activities. Upon finishing elementary school, the teachers plan to unite the classes, so that communication between children is live and not through social networks. From the age of 12, little ones reach an age where they begin to care a lot about their friends, their own choices, as well as personality development.

In many schools where children are separated according to gender, classes for boys focus on sports such as hockey, and emphasis is placed on teachers for physical education classes and sports training. However, it remains problematic to find a man for the role of teacher in the classroom: in Russian schools, women predominate in teaching. The girls take choreography and sewing classes. Classes are often held at the city’s House of Culture.

Psychologists know very well that if there are male and female students in a classroom, then any child, even subconsciously, tries to make a good impression on another, and therefore, being distracted in the classroom, his attention span decreases and everyone loses concentration.

Both parents and scientists know that, from an early age, boys are mentally and physically 2 or 3 years behind their mates: the left hemisphere develops more slowly. Therefore, the education system in schools is geared towards girls. It is embarrassing and humiliating when they laugh at the child who makes a mistake by answering the blackboard. This ends up causing a failure complex and provokes aggressive behavior towards other peers and adults.

For children, the urge to risk is natural, with the aim of testing their willpower and spirit, the desire to be first, to be a hero and to make decisions on their own. How to educate real men, if they are forced to repeat already given solutions and remain immobile?

In gender-separated classes, it is easier for teachers to consider the psychology of each particular sex. The girls are shy in communicating and diligent in learning. The details and the process itself are important to them. Although they master repetitive tasks and can easily deal with a concrete algorithm, following the given steps, they feel self-conscious in front of the boys and, sometimes, the class ends up becoming a kind of empty room.

When the boys are not around, the girls feel more at ease, they are not afraid to raise their hands, make mistakes, help each other with pleasure and without worrying about ridicule.

Boys must acquire knowledge for themselves. They do not carry out the task by following the established steps, but try to think and do it themselves; want to deduce the rule on their own, according to what the teacher taught. Therefore, every task is an adventure for them. Your perception is more holistic, imaginative and emotional. Boys like questions of a problematic nature and are actively involved in finding solutions.

In the classes of this experiment, it was observed that the girls work well in collective tasks. Immediately, they are able to assign roles, consult with each other, and come up with solutions as a group. On individual tasks, they behave indecisively, even though they know the correct answer.

Furthermore, teachers noted that girls should always be praised, even for their mistakes; otherwise, they may withdraw into themselves and next time be afraid to respond. Boys would not understand such an approach, according to the study.

When girls are not in the same room, they do not hesitate to say what they think, to express their ideas, even if they are contrary to what is generally accepted. And although constant noise and yelling is the norm, the teachers noticed that the boys in the experimental classes showed less aggression. In the presence of a girl, each of them tries to be noticed. But in separate classes, everyone is equal, and your attempts to assert yourself can be redirected to the development of your leadership qualities.

Another contemplated observation: all the boys showed solidarity. When a student in the mixed class, where he fought a lot, switched to the experimental class, his new classmates quickly re-educated him.

In separate classes, girls express themselves more. And the boys, when there is no one to brag about, do not argue with the teacher. In the beginning, it is more difficult to get into their circle of trust, but later they are more devoted to the teacher.

The tutor gave an example: one day she forgot to remind the children that they should clean the classroom where they studied. When, the next day, she observed the class squeaky clean, the children said, “Don’t worry about it! We’re adults!”

The director of the department of pediatrics at a medical academy pointed out that these children also became better in terms of health. In the boys’ class, they no longer had a crooked spine. By monitoring them over time, the doctors found that the students, in general, began to get less sick.

It was observed that, in mixed classes, during the first six months, students lose weight as a result of stress and adaptation. In classes separated by gender, this does not usually happen.

One of the researchers who followed the experiment states: “Girls and boys are interested in different things. I read them the same story and girls are impressed with certain images, certain meanings, feelings and boys are dazzled by completely different things. The teacher cannot keep the interest of both sexes in mixed classes, it is necessary to force and pressure. Education begins to be based on obedience, discipline and punishment of poor academic results. Unfortunately, all schools are based on this. Before separating students, students who got excellent grades accounted for 3%, and after the experiment, performance increased 8-10 times”.

The gender-based approach to learning, of course, has opponents. Those who reject it consider it a throwback to adolescence. The school principal responded to these arguments claiming that the problem lies in the excessive number of children together, as it leads to the loss of their gender identity. In Russia, the number of pregnant students has increased, that’s the problem, he says.

Some point out that this is the first step towards machismo and separation based on mental and/or physical abilities. There is even a current of opinion that claims that a male classroom is fertile ground for educating future maniacs. The experience of gender-separated learning, according to its supporters, reveals the opposite and, to this day, all these attacks end up failing, as boys and girls communicate with each other for a long time outside the classrooms.

Of course, this is an experience considering the reality of Russia. And in Brazil, would it work? Our readers from Portugal, what do you think?

Share your opinion in the comments.