Girls sock it to boys
For the girls at co-ed Aotea College, it was a result to celebrate when all seven of the latest top academic awards went to girls.
But, for one father with a son there now and two others who had been to the Porirua school, it was further cause for concern at what he calls a growing gender disparity in education.
Chris Watson is worried that last year’s award results at Aotea College are part of a trend that could leave boys being discriminated against by a ‘‘system of education that’s failing’’.
‘‘To what extent have our boys been disadvantaged academically by a system that’s evidentially favouring girls over boys, as evidenced by the scholars awards?’’
He sees it as an extreme local example of a national issue, and has asked the college’s board of trustees to start a thorough review into the way the school operates, to find anything ‘‘that may currently disadvantage boys achieving their true academic potential’’.
Last year’s awards at Aotea – spanning years 11 to 13 – compare with 2010, when they instead went to one girl and six boys.
Principal Kate Gainsford said Aotea simply had an ‘‘extraordinary’’ group of female students, and both genders were achieving above-average results. Achievements by boys at the school had risen at all NCEA levels since 2012.
‘‘We want to encourage the boys, but last year there were a group of girls who were very good academically.
‘‘It wouldn’t have been right to say ... you’re top but we’re not going to acknowledge you because you’re a girl.’’
Emily Paterson, who was one of last year’s top year 12 scholars, said it felt disheartening and hurtful to have her achievement questioned.
‘‘It feels as if my hard work and determination to succeed has been minimised by accrediting it to my gender,’’ she said.
She had never noticed any gender bias at Aotea.
Research from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority showed girls generally outperformed boys in external and internal assessments at all three levels of NCEA and in University Entrance.
Gainsford said there had been no other complaints about the awards.