What is the ruling on free mixing of men and women in education, particularly for elementary school students?

Question:
Peace be upon you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: What is your opinion on the free mixing of male and female students in elementary school? Is this action permissible in the future? What is your opinion regarding free mixing in colleges, such as the college of medicine, especially since a survey on this matter is being distributed in the high school and the college? May Allah grant success to our scholars, those present among them, and have mercy on those who have passed away.

Answer:
When they wanted to open schools for girls, they separated the girls' schools from the boys' schools and established a separate administration for them. All of this was to protect the women and prevent free mixing. It is necessary to follow this methodology, from elementary school to the university. One must follow this sound methodology, which is separating women from men to avoid fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). This is the methodology of Islam, and it is not permissible to deviate from it, neither in elementary school nor in any other stage. This is because elementary school is the foundation for what comes after it; if free mixing is found there, it will spread to the other stages. Therefore, this matter must be prevented from the outset and not allowed. This is what the scholars and the rulers in this country have established. This country has, praise be to Allah, distinguished itself by many features, praise be to Allah, one of which is the separation of women from men in education, from elementary school to the university.