BOYS seem to fall behind girls in Malaysia. And it’s not for lack of attention.On the contrary, their preferential treatment in school and at home may have contributed to their somewhat lax attitude towards their studies.

While most girls see education as their passport to the future, boys appear to take it for granted, according to a study on gender bias in schools.

Yet despite this subtle gender discrimination at almost all levels – in the classroom, textbooks and even sports and games – the boys appear to be outsmarted by girls.

With most leaders and role models being men, it is little wonder that boys harbour a surreal feeling that they can do well in life even if they don’t excel in education.

“The compelling factor to perform well in studies doesn’t exist for boys as much as they do for girls,” explains Dr Jyotsna Jha, one of the authors of a new book, Exploring the Bias: Gender and Stereotyping in Secondary Schools.