Co-educational Schools (Press, 22 September 1954)

On 21 September 1954, a report from a committee investigating moral delinquency among juveniles was released, highlighting various opinions regarding post-primary co-education. The committee noted a lack of systematic communication between homes and schools concerning juvenile issues, as the headmasters, traditionally responsible for this connection, have found their roles increasingly constrained due to larger school sizes and complexities. The report pointed out particular concerns from post-primary principals about the behavioural problems arising in students who are compelled to remain in school until the age of 15. This age group has been identified as having a notable incidence of juvenile delinquency, prompting the committee to suggest that assistance ought to be provided to post-primary schools. However, it refrained from making specific recommendations on how to implement such support. It did advocate for strengthening bonds between teachers, parents, and children, suggesting measures such as stabilising the teaching workforce, providing housing for teachers in developing areas, and increasing female teacher representation. The committee investigated claims that co-educational settings might lead to immoral behaviour. While some testimonies suggested that such environments could heighten the risk of immorality, the committee concluded that no direct correlation could be established between school associations and instances of immoral acts. One example cited involved a girl who allegedly incited multiple boys to engage in sexual misconduct after school; however, investigations revealed that these individuals were already acquainted through their neighbourhoods and had a history of indecency prior to their schooling. The report also mentioned concerns about senior pupils at intermediate schools engaging in both heterosexual and homosexual depravity. While the committee acknowledged that some of these issues may have originated from connections formed at school, they found that the instigators typically had prior histories of immoral behaviour or were from home environments that fostered delinquent tendencies. In summary, the committee’s report delved into the complex factors contributing to juvenile delinquency, emphasising the need for collaboration between educators and families while dispelling the notion that co-education itself was a primary cause of immorality among students.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand