GSD welcomes co-education debate

The GSD has welcomed the fact that many young people are responding positively to its petition highlighting co-education and the ‘gender bias’ occurring within certain subject areas and school activities.

The GSD has been advocating co-education for some time now and plans for a secondary education facility at Rooke were included in their manifesto at the 2015 general election.

“We believe it is in the interests of students, teachers and the education system generally but we recognise this is a matter that has to be debated fully and that stakeholders have to be engaged,” the GSD states on the campaign page.

“In the meantime a look at the subjects on offer for both GCSE and A'Level at both Westside and Bayside shows the disparity of subjects offered to both boys and girls.”

“We believe there should be no such disparity and, whether we opt for co-education or not, we should be working to end it soonest,” the petition states. As of today, the petition had been signed by nearly 300 people.

The GSD indicated that it is their intention to file a motion for the end of September sitting of Parliament to debate the issue.

Leader of the Opposition Daniel Feetham said “Petition numbers are growing as young people become more aware of the debate”.

He added “It's great to see so many young people engaged in the debate by posting comments on some of the gender biases they have experienced in our education system.”

“The political system has not been built with young people in mind, but through this petition they have been given the chance to have their say over an important issue that directly affects them.”

“It's now our job to put this issue onto the agenda in Parliament to ensure that all opportunities in school become universal – and not just for girls or boys”.