Your school has been invited to participate in a debate on the topic: Co-education in secondary schools should be abolished. Write out your speech for or ag...

Answer Details

Mr Chairman, timekeeper, accurate panel of judges, my worthy opponents, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I rise to speak against the motion, that co-education in secondary schools should be abolished. I hold firmly that co-education should be preserved and encouraged.

My first point is that co-education mirrors real life. In the wider world, men and women live, work and build the nation side by side. A school that trains boys and girls together prepares its students for this reality, teaching them from an early age to relate to the opposite sex with respect, confidence and maturity.

Secondly, co-education promotes healthy competition and higher standards. When boys and girls learn in the same classroom, each group strives not to be outdone by the other. This friendly rivalry sharpens minds and raises academic performance for all.

Thirdly, co-education is economical for any nation. Building, staffing and equipping separate schools for boys and girls doubles the burden on scarce resources. One well-run mixed school serves a community far more efficiently than two half-equipped single-sex schools.

Fourthly, co-education helps to break down harmful prejudice. Where boys and girls study together, the old idea that certain subjects, such as science and mathematics, belong only to boys quietly disappears, for the girls prove themselves equal in every field.

My opponents may claim that mixing the sexes leads to indiscipline and distraction. But indiscipline is a failure of guidance, not of co-education. With good teachers, firm rules and proper counselling, mixed schools produce disciplined and well-rounded citizens.

For these reasons, that it prepares students for real life, raises standards, saves resources and destroys prejudice, I strongly urge this house to reject the motion. Co-education should not be abolished. Thank you.