NGOs object to same sex schools in T&T

A group of Non-Government Organisations in Trinidad and Tobago is expressing concern about what it says is the government’s rush to introduce same sex schools in the twin island republic.



The group, the Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women, says enough consultation has not been done to help to guide the introduction.



The education minister Esther Le Gendre had announced that 20 schools are to be converted to same sex schools.



She said that the underperformance of male students was the main reason for introducing this structure into Trinidad’s education system.



In a statement, the group said any move to implement same sex schools must take into account the necessary policy framework, including a gender policy.



Dr. Kris Rampersad, the group’s director, said that separating boys and girls in different classrooms or schools will not necessarily solve the problems of male underachievement.



She said that this policy must be informed by understanding the gender differences in how boys and girls learn.