Principals fight 'social marginalisation' of boys

Boys' schools have formed a new group to combat the social "marginalisation" of boys.

The New Zealand Boys' Schools Association was formed by principals from 90 per cent of the country's all-male schools.

It comes hard on the heels of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) results showing girls achieved almost twice as many excellence grades as boys. Educators say the difference is a result of the NCEA, which is a mix of internal assessment and end-of-year exams, requiring steady work throughout the year.

Shirley Boys' High principal John Laurenson, of Christchurch, said the driving force behind the association was not concern about boys' perceived academic underachievement.

Rather, society was increasingly marginalising boys and boys' schools were often viewed as "a thing of the past".

"We have therefore developed an organisation to begin to tell the world, New Zealand in particular, the positive things happening in boys' schools. We believe we are highly relevant," Mr Laurenson said.

Criticism that boys did not work as well consistently during the year as girls was valid, because boys tended to be heavily involved in other activities, he said.

"Traditionally, if you go back to my school days, I was playing rugby, softball, tennis, and then eight weeks out from exams I would have hoed in and pushed myself hard to do well," he said.

"The ongoing assessment demands a time organisation that ... girls will address and deal with far better than boys."

Waitaki Boys' High principal and association spokesman Paul Baker said the group would "lobby for, research and advocate for boys' education in general and boys' schools in particular".

And it would focus on ensuring the best methods for teaching and learning at single-sex schools were shared.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said schools "need to consider the specific needs of boys" if the gap was to close.

- NZPA