WAEC English Language 2016 Theory — Question 3

Model answer

La Lakum Grammar School, Off Jeba Road, Lokoja, Kogi State. 1st April, 2017. The Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association, La Lakum Grammar School, Off Jeba Road, Lokoja, Kogi State. Dear Sir, A CONTRARY VIEW ON SINGLE-SEX SCHOOL Recall the decision made by the Association in their (recent) meeting, dated 15th March 2017, to transform the school into a single-sex school. Against this decision, I deem it appropriate as the Senior Prefect, to write this letter, providing cogent reasons why I am convinced that making La Lakum single-sex is not a good decision. One thing La Lakum students have always enjoyed is that the mixed arrangement affords them the privilege to socially cohere, improve on their human relations — particularly among opposite sex, and most importantly have respect for one another. It is not farfetched that children trained in a single sex schools tend to face lots of sex-related and adolescent challenges because they are uninformed, inexperienced and unexposed to manners and behaviour of the opposite sex. They are bereft of how to treat and be treated by the opposite sex. The opportunity the mixed arrangement provides for both sexes to relate, socialise and learn the behavioural pattern of the opposite sex eludes single-sex school students. This has made some female students fall into the trap of randy men who played on their naivety and ignorance. It may also interest you to know that, these days, lesbianism and gayism make strides among students from single-sex school. We have heard and seen evidence of homosexual practices amongst her students from two schools here — in Lokoja. I do not think La Lakum has ever recorded such an instance of homosexual practices amongst her students yet. And I do not think the school management is ready to bear such heinous phenomena or any other sexual perversion(s) that will besmirch its image. Besides, it is quite thoughtful that transforming a mixed school into a single-sex will reduce the tendency to monitor and keep an eye on these adolescents. In a mixed school, it is believed that all — teachers, parents, schools, school management, etc. — are watch dogs to one another in the business of nurturing the students. Once the school becomes single-sex, it will only take in same-sex students and teachers, laying off others. This will further create laxity in monitoring the students. A recent instance of a sexual practice between a female teacher and a male student in a school in the US justifies this. The teacher was monitored and caught by the boy's parent who had earlier observed something fishy. Had the school in question been a single-sex one, the parent would not have probably known because he (the parent) would never have quickly thought gayism was on the prowl between the teacher and his son. Lastly, learning wise, I think that a mixed school provides a balanced and level-playing ground for both sexes. It provides a room for healthy competition among both male and female students, and spurs any of the genders to rise to the challenge whenever the other is taking the lead — in debates, sports, school activities, examinations, class projects, etc. This privilege also eludes students from single-sex schools. These few but cogent reasons, I think, will suffice to make the association have a rethink on embarking on its earlier decision to transform La Lakum Grammar School into a single-sex school. It should have a rethink in the interest of all. Thank you very much. Yours faithfully, Abdul Yinusa, The Senior Prefect.