Academic or Pratical in schools?

A critisim often heared these days is that subjects taught in schools tend to be too academic, and contribute little to preparing a young person for the real life tasks which he or she will have to perform after graduation. They say the academic subjects are rooted in the past and are not useful in solving modern problems. However, I disagree this point of view for three reasons.

My first reason is that it is the duty of parents, not teachers to prepare their children to deal with the practical affairs of life. The home, not the classroom, is the ideal place to learn about home management and interpersonal skills. As for work abilities and attitudes, they are best learned on the job and under the supervison of an experienced older worker.

My second reason is these academic subjects have withstood the test of time, they represent the accumulated wisom of our ancestors down through ages, and far from being impractical, they equip us with knowledge and confidence to make sound judgement about any problems which may crop up. In addtion, academic subjects are good for training us in mental discipline, while practical subjects are weak in this regard.

My third reason is based on the saying " Man does not live by bread alone". Schooldays soley devoted to instruction in down-to-earth practical matters would be dull indeed. Lessons in the best literature of the world and epoche-making scientific and geographic discoveries of the past enrich our lives and make us feel we are part of the great family of mankind.

All in all, the teaching of academic subjects in schools is entirely appropriate. It is my firmly held view that practical subjects have no place in the classroom. On the contrary, the curriculum should be more academic.