Ruling on Teaching in Co-educational Schools

This is a letter we received from the questioner Hasan 'Abd Allah al-Hasan from the city of al-Abayyadh in Sudan. He says in his letter: I am a teacher committed to the Book and the Sunnah, and I hold fast to the path of the righteous predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them all). I work in a co-educational school with male and female teachers, and the number of female teachers is greater than the number of male teachers. Although everything is separated, such as our offices and other areas, we still gather on many occasions to discuss the progress of studies and work. Does this cause harm, even with caution? And should I sit with my male and female colleagues, who are immodest in their dress, in such gatherings or not? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good?
Answer: This gathering carries a great danger, for gathering with immodest women involves a great trial. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in an authentic hadith: Therefore, what I advise you to do is not to remain with them, but rather that the men be separate and the women be separate, and that the men teach the men and the women teach the women.
This is the obligation upon the people of the school, and this is the obligation upon you, O teachers, and this is the obligation upon the female teachers as well, that they fear Allah and keep away from the men. Their work should be done by themselves with the girls, and your work should be done by yourselves with the boys. You should not have any gathering except in matters where there is a pressing need for it, without the women being immodest in their dress or exposing themselves. Rather, they should be covered, wearing hijab, and far from the causes of trial, when there is a need to ask them about something, or to benefit them with something, or to advise them, or the like. As for gathering with them as they are female teachers and you are male teachers, with their immodesty and displaying of their beauty, this is a great evil, its danger is great, and it is a clear wrong.
Therefore, it is obligatory to change this, and the people of the school must pay attention to this matter, fear Allah, and be mindful of Allah. They must separate the boys from the girls, and the teachers of the boys should be men, and the teachers of the girls should be women. This is the path of salvation, the path of safety, and it is the obligation of everyone; for Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Ma'idah: 2]. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.