Single sex education provides boys and girls a greater freedom of choice in subjects and professional opportunities not associated with their sex. Differences in results and abilities in the school period, influence academic and vocational options that boys and girls will choose in the future. A good example is the access to scientific and technological careers mostly chosen by boys.
According to Eurydice unit of Eurydice's Executive Agency in the field of Education, Audiovisual and Culture of the European Commission, presented in 2009 the study Gender differences in educational outcomes : measures taken and current situation in Europe.
“This type of education gives boys and girls a greater freedom to choose subjects not associated with their sex, provides greater space for girls and helps to increase their self-esteem and encourages the effort in males not having to worry about their image as students.” (cap6, pag.85)
According to a study conducted by EASSE among their associated centers, the percentage of students from female schools who choose undergraduate degrees of scope scientific-technical increases significantly. On the other hand the number of male students who decide to study Teaching , a career with little male presence, is much higher than the average.
GIRLS
It improves the access of the girls to scientific – technical studies
There are many factors that may contribute to the lack of technological vocations among our young people: gender stereotypes present in our classrooms, the lack of professional models of success and feminine references. All these factors require a deep reflection and programs to study and encourage initiatives that help to change this reality.
In Lisbon, after the meeting of the Council of European Heads of State, held in March 2000, a few common European educational objectives were agreed upon which, predictably, should be reached by the end of 2010. One of the objectives - among the 13 specific - was to increase enrolment in scientific and technical studies. At the same time it is intended to increase female enrolment in these studies and thus to balance the relative ratio between genders.
This fact is worrisome in the vast majority of European countries. In Germany, the Minister of education Annete Shave (CSU) promoted a plan to try to reverse this situation. Under the motto, "Komm, mach MINT!" (Come and participate) the German Government aims to encourage young students to choose degrees of mathematics, , sciences, technical engeniering and computer sciences.
BOYS
The boys interest in teaching.
Some countries have launched concrete initiatives to attract a greater number of men to the teaching profession. Ireland, the Netherlands, England, Sweden and Czech Republic have launched specific programs and/or campaigns to attract men to teaching at the elementary level and avoid having the men who are trained as teachers leave their studies.
Sources
Gender differences in educational outcomes: measures taken and current situation in Europe. Eurydice,2009 Link
