Should students study a wide range of subjects?

In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across a range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a particular career. Which do you think is appropriate in today’s world? (Education)

There is an ongoing debate about the number of subjects students in secondary schools should learn - some suggest a wide range of curriculum, whereas others believe firmly that the subjects taught should be directly related to students’ future careers. Frankly, I think a broader range of subjects would be more beneficial for students.

At their age, many students are not informed enough to make decisions about their future career. This is exemplified by the fact that a large number of undergraduates change their majors every year. Although society may view them as fully-functioning adults capable of making major life decisions, psychologically speaking, the majority of 18-year-olds are still going through the process of self-discovery and thus are ill-equipped to choose the perfect career path that would maximize their potential. As a result, many would argue that restricting students to a narrow range of subjects would not necessarily benefit their adult lives, and could even be counter-productive in some cases.

By having access to a multitude of fields and disciplines, learners would have more opportunities to discover what they are passionate about. As each individual is different, some students would be better suited to a career in finance, while others would flourish in more artistic environments, and so on. Being exposed to different areas of learning has merits beyond their professional lives, too. Students can lead a more fulfilling life by learning about new passions and hobbies that may not have monetary value but are nonetheless entertaining and rewarding to pursue. Society must come to terms with the increased individualism of the modern age and the fact that people need interests outside of work in order to be truly satisfied. The availability of multiple fields of knowledge is therefore beneficial not only to the students who learn them but also to society at large.

In conclusion, students should not be limited to a predefined list of subjects that people deem important because the alternative is far superior and has many more upsides.

(Band 7-7.5)