By Deeksha Teri,TN Education Desk

Copyright timesnownews

The Maharashtra government has announced a full closure of girls’ and boys’ schools in the state. As per a directive issued by the state’s education department, there will no more be separate schools for girls and boys. The single-gender school system has been running for decades in the state. As per media reports, the Maharashtra School Education and Sports Department in its corrigendum amended its earlier decisions from 2003 and 2008. The move follows the Bombay High Court bench’s order in Petition no. 3773/2000 that “girls’ schools should no longer be allowed separately”. Maharashtra government emphasised that co-education will create and promote an environment of equality. The government also believes that it will promote a mutual respect and understanding among students. The co-education system is also expected to promote healthy social and communication skills between the genders, and will prepare students for the diverse, real-world environment that comes after school. Recommended | 5 Biggest Exam Blunders in India — And What Changed After “Co-education also promotes balanced participation in academics and activities. Running co-educational schools is in line with the times, with the aim of preventing the development of gender discrimination in children at the school age and ensuring that boys and girls get the opportunity to study together and develop their personalities,” the official statement read. Based on the Bombay High Court’s judgment, the Directive specifies that in cases where separate schools for boys and girls exist within the same premises, such institutions should be immediately merged and converted into co-educational schools, ensuring that both male and female students study together in a unified learning environment. Accordingly, the implementation powers have been given to the Commissioner (Education), Maharashtra State. Additionally, the Commissioner (Education), Maharashtra State has been given the power to approve proposals of schools who have submitted applications to shift from separate schools to co-educational schools. The order has been issued in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra, making it an official policy shift to have co-education schools in the state, as per media reports.