ABSTRACT
The Equal Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) interest in girl friendly schooling derives from its statutory duty to monitor and enforce the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA), and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs for amending the legislation as appropriate. It is a matter of concern to the EOC that while sex discrimination affects both girls and boys, the disadvantage to girls is more far-reaching in its implications. Boys may leave school lacking valuable communication and life skills, but these have less relevance in terms of gaining access to post-school education and employment than the lack of scientific, technical and mathematical qualifications which adversely affect the majority of girls. Girl friendly schooling has been actively promoted by the EOC for many years.
