World News for Students of English

15-05-2026 15:00

Experts are increasingly concerned about a boy crisis in schools across Canada and the world.

Data shows that boys are falling behind girls in several key areas. In Quebec, for example, the dropout rate for boys is over 27%, compared to about 20% for girls.

Boys are also less likely to attend university; currently, only about 44% of post-secondary students in Canada are male. This gap exists partly because traditional classrooms often value sitting still, neatness, and following strict rules – tasks that many young boys find difficult. The consequences of this gap are serious. When boys feel they cannot succeed in school, they often disengage or give up. This can lead to poor mental health, a lack of job opportunities, and a higher risk of falling under toxic online influences.

Some teachers suggest that the way we evaluate students should change to include active organization, like the teamwork seen during sports at recess. To fix the problem, experts suggest more physical activity and flexible learning environments that help boys feel they belong without hurting the progress made by girls.

Difficult words: dropout rate (the percentage of students who leave school before they finish their studies), neatness (being tidy, clean, and organized), disengage (to stop being involved in something or to stop paying attention), recess (the time when children go outside to play).

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