Research finds no educational case for gender-segregated learning — but findings were never presented

A study commissioned to assess the value and demand for a master’s degree programme in gender-segregated education has concluded the opposite of what some officials wanted to hear: mixed-gender learning is necessary, and the target population recognises its importance. The research was conducted by Israel’s Council for Higher Education (CHE), which sought to evaluate whether such a specialist postgraduate qualification should be offered.

According to senior figures within the CHE and the Education Ministry, the council’s chairman repeatedly postponed discussion of the findings. “He understood it didn’t serve his agenda,” these sources claim. The research appears to contradict the educational priorities of some policymakers who have championed segregated learning programmes in recent years.

When asked about the study’s results, the CHE stated: “The findings of the examination have not yet been brought before us.” This suggests the report may still be sitting in administrative limbo rather than having been formally presented to the council’s decision-making bodies. The apparent shelving of inconvenient research findings raises questions about the independence of educational policy-making in Israel and how evidence-based decisions are being made regarding curriculum structure and gender integration in higher education.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.