On September 5th, when the new school year begins, three of the largest primary schools in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis would be introduced to a single-sex (education) system, for Grade three (3) to six (6).
A single-sex system is where students are classed by sex, meaning boys and girls in separate classes. Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas disclosed this information on Tuesday (July 26th) during the radio program ‘Ask the Prime Minister’.
“What we have found is that up until Grade three (3), the academic performance of boys and girls is indistinguishable, one from the other. The performance of the girls remains strong, while the performance of the boys begins to lag. (And) this divergence remains in Grade four (4), it remains apparent in Grade five (5), and it remains in Grade six (6).” said Prime Minister Douglas. “This is not something that we want. This is not something that any society should want. We want both our boys and our girls to have the kind of curiosity, and pluck, and enthusiasm that is needed to fuel their successful course through elementary, secondary, and eventually university itself.”
Dr. Douglas in expressing concerns on what he termed as gender imbalance at the University level stated, that the number of females at these institutions now outnumber the males by a ratio of more than two to one.
“This imbalance is not one that magically emerges when our young people arrive at UWI. It is a trend that has been developing throughout the region over time. It is a trend that can be seen right here in the Federation. And it is a trend, the signs of which are emerging early,” Dr. Douglas told listeners.