How to choose between single-sex vs coed schools in Hong Kong
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In Hong Kong, single-sex schools were established in the late 19th century, mostly by missionary groups. Some of the most popular schools from this period include St. Joseph's College, a Catholic boys' school; and Queen's College, a government-funded boys' school established by the British government in 1862. After World War II, the number of single-sex schools in Hong Kong proliferated in response to a significant increase in educational demand.
A series of co-educational reforms were introduced in the 1980s and 90s, but this didn't diminish the popularity of gender-specific institutions. Today, single-sex schools remain relatively popular in Hong Kong, with experts estimating that they account for up to 40 per cent of schools in the city. Some of the most notable examples include Diocesan Girls' School, Maryknoll Convent School, La Salle College and Good Hope School. But just how relevant are these single-sex schools for parents making this choice for their children?
Experts acknowledge that gender-specific schools better cater to the development of each sex. Photo: Eugene Lee
'I believe parents are choosing [single-sex schools] for their reputation, their academic achievements and perceived prestige, not because they are single-sex,' says Ruth Benny, founder of admissions consultancy Top Schools.
'Many parents [in Hong Kong] choose single-sex schools as they believe they can provide a more tailored learning environment specifically designed to meet the needs of boys or girls,' explains Julianna Yau, director of local education specialists Ampla Education. '[But] some parents prefer coed for secondary [school] as they recognise the importance of social skills and interaction between the genders.'
Experts generally acknowledge that boys and girls develop at different rates and will have disparate interests and motivations. It follows that – theoretically at least – gender-specific schools would better cater to the development of each sex, thereby justifying their continued popularity.
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Separate tailored experiences can be offered for each sex: for example, boys might thrive in shorter classes with frequent breaks, while girls may do better with group work. Additionally, single-gender classrooms may give students more confidence in speaking up in lessons.
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