Shift Towards Co-Education as Single-Sex Schools Struggle with Enrolment

The decline in the popularity of single-sex education has led many schools to transition to co-education, primarily as a means of sustaining student numbers.

However, this shift has, in some cases, resulted in a loss of the prestige these institutions once held. Schools, particularly boarding schools that were renowned for their academic excellence, have experienced a steady drop in enrolment over the past decade.

In 2016, Plumtree High School became the first to break tradition by admitting female students in response to declining numbers. The following year, Falcon College in Umzingwane District followed suit.

Since then, Embakwe High School and Mzingwane High School have also introduced co-education, with Cyrene High School currently making infrastructural preparations to enrol female students.

The trend is not limited to former boys’ schools. Historically all-girls schools like Minda High School and Usher High School have begun accepting male students, though in smaller numbers. Similarly, Hamilton High School in Bulawayo has shifted from an all-boys school to a co-educational day school to counter low student intake.

Concerns over student violence and disciplinary issues have also influenced discussions around co-education. Reports of gang-related conflicts involving pupils from Gifford High School and Milton High School have prompted the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to consider converting these institutions into mixed-gender schools. Additionally, concerns over same-sex relationships in some single-sex schools have led certain parents and guardians to prefer co-educational environments.

According to Olicah Kaira, Chief Director of Primary, Secondary, and Non-Formal Education, single-sex schools are finding it difficult to attract students, making the transition to co-education a practical solution.

She noted that society is structured around both men and women coexisting, and students should be socialized accordingly from a young age.

“Some schools simply do not have enough students to continue operating as single-sex institutions. Additionally, we recognize that boys and girls are meant to coexist in society, and separating them entirely may lead to behavioral challenges when they eventually interact. We need to assess whether it is viable to maintain single-sex schools or move towards a predominantly co-educational system,” Kaira explained.

She also acknowledged indirect concerns over the influence of prolonged same-gender interactions in boarding schools. Citing an incident in Matabeleland South, where two female students reportedly held a mock wedding, she emphasized the need for a balanced learning environment.

“The social behavior of students is evolving, and by integrating boys and girls, we allow them to learn about their biological differences in a natural setting. They will grow up understanding these changes and eventually build families together, as is expected in real life,” she added.

However, Mike Mhike, Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, clarified that there is no official policy mandating all single-sex schools to convert into mixed-gender institutions. Instead, schools with dwindling enrolment are leveraging their available resources to accommodate both genders where necessary.

“For instance, Minda High School introduced male students because its surrounding community required it. Civil servants and other professionals working in the area needed an option for their sons to attend school, and given the institution’s capacity, it made sense to open its doors to both genders. The primary concern is low enrolment, and if admitting both boys and girls helps fully utilize existing infrastructure, then it is a step in the right direction,” Mhike explained.

With more schools adjusting to changing enrolment patterns, the future of single-sex education remains uncertain. While co-education offers a practical solution, the debate continues on how best to balance tradition, academic excellence, and societal expectations.