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Schools Don't Teach Enough Subjects That Are Really Useful In Later Life
I wish I had spent more time at school learning things that would be genuinely useful in my later personal and working life. Things like typing, using common software, managing finances, time management, how to start a business, DIY and decorating. Does our education system need to be less obsessed with 'academic' subjects, which are only useful later in life for a small minority?
 deef77  10 Jan 2008 15:40
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The educational system should be more practical, indeed. But you have to look at the other views as well. Yes, it does depend on the type of career you decide to take. However, when they teach you something that has absolutely nothing to do with what you will be using in later life (sorry to say, I have no examples).
 
 GreyMoon  09 Feb 2010 21:29
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I think schools should be more like an tec school.
Those who want to work in the world of business goes here, medical here. It would make kids a lot happer to go to school. Im taking speech right now and what i want to do is be a cheif we dont make speeches but i have to take it
 
 toni  27 Oct 2009 20:31
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I totally agree with this concept!!!! I mean how is knowing the pie number going to help us later on?? How is being able to recite all the main dates in the Cold War going to help us?? There are a list of things that i could mention learning that just wouldn't help us later on in life. And people who have finished school have said that they have forgotten alot of it, the stuff they've remembered they've never used and infact they just found it all a waste of time. I mean i know this sounds stupid but they should talk more about relationships and stuff and leave the rest to us unless of course you want to do something like teach in which case you'll have to learn all this pointless stuff but other than that what is the point??
 
 Emilie  04 Sep 2009 21:52
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Schools don't tech the right subjects in school they need to tech more essential classes on like art cause i mean like who really is going to try to get into the art business when they get older
 
 magger213  16 May 2009 01:44
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True.

We do not learn such things as Personal Finance, Communication, empathy, logic and facing problems at school.

Why not?
 
 TomasV  04 Apr 2009 22:30
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 You don't?
I find it hard to believe that you do not have classes in communications. Reading, writing, understanding grammar and sharing your work in front of others helps you learn those skills. Reading plays and novels gives you a peek into dialog and how characters interact and communicate. Those things are not just boring old classics. They are insight and communications.
Learning to solve math and science problems in a step by step order teaches logic. and how to use it to solve problems.
But if you sit in a class thinking it is wasting your time, you are not taking advantage of the lessons you should be learning.
by  Golfelda
 16 May 2009 02:12
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I believe that from the time you enter high school, you should have somewhat of an idea in what you are going to major in, and be able to fill yourself with the knowledge that will help you pursue that degree. I, instead, have been taking advanced trigonometry classes, and chemistry classes, while i should've been able to take bible and music classes, considering my major is within that area. I think they teach too much classes that won't be useful, and not enough that we will need someday.
 
 poman549  28 Mar 2009 23:46
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 You can study music and the bible outside of school. There are many who would not consider the bible or music worthy of study in school when you could be taking higher math and science courses.
by  Golfelda
 16 May 2009 01:57
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I agree. Even my teacher says we'll never have to do some of this stuff again. If stuff were more practical though, kids can have a better idea of what they want to be when they grow up
 
 mango8  14 Nov 2008 02:01
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I think there should be more life skills like budgeting, finance, administration and communication and even learning how to cook proper meals instead of cakes and biscuits and stuff. This type of stuff would be valuable and help people more in their lives regardless of whether they were academic or practical.
 
 Eeyore  13 Nov 2008 20:40
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I agree..
Like what do u do if u were stuck alone in an island..
Believe it or not,
it happened..
My class was talking about this one movie from true story that the guy was stranded in an island alone,
but he survived,
and then my classmate asked why is it not part of the curriculum how to live in a island..
It is just a good idea if we study about some practical things that we can use someday in life..
 
 sah01  30 Sep 2008 00:46
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I agree.. I want a career in Health when I'm older... Nothing i was taught in skwl is going to help with that at all.. Cept social things like being around people.. That's it.. People wonder why so many people bunk off skwl... Its because its sooooo boring! The same routine every single day... Same lessons.. Nothings different..tho a lot of people don't like change.. A variety is better! Cooking classes now consist of making a few pitta bread things which u stuff with a bit of cheese... Or making pizza... With obesity on the rise.. We should be taught about healthy eating.. How to cook healthy meals within a good price range which don't take 4ever to cook and how to maintain that sort of lifestyle.. Also money management which.. With this credit crunch would help a lot...sex education should actually be part of the time table.. And taken very seriously.. Not just flicking through some booklets and people finding it funny.. Or putting a condom on sum rubber thing... English shouldn't be about reading "of mice and men" and "inspector calls" and talking about them... Science should b better as well...tho i must say i really did enjoy biology when i was at skwl... Physics... The only thing i remember about that is the classroom being so hot you couldn't actually work and no1 did anything bout it and chemistry.. Mixing a few chemicals about in a test tube and watching them change colour WOW! ..We should also be taught how to manage in difficult situations and realy realy prepare teenagers for when they leave skwl.. Ready 2 start college so the teens feel confident that they are going to cope well. People who find it hard to concentrate and misbehave in class need help too.. Not just being sent out the room or sent to "timeout".. Skwl is obviously not for them,, and they would rather be out doing something contrastive like.. The boys who misbehave should do wood work or what ever they want to when they're older... Something creative which they can feel proud of.. And the girls who also have similar problems should b given the choice to do things they would enjoy like a hair dressing course or something in fashion... Education does need improving... Who wants to be stuck behind a desk for 6 or more hours a day with sum1 rattling in your ear bout things which really don't appeal to you?
 
 Louisee--x  06 Jul 2008 20:18
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 I am guessing Spelling was a subject you misbehaved during and missed while in the time out corner. I think because at the time you could not see a reason to learn something or assumed it was stupid, you tuned out and missed the point entirely.
I have worked with the students that have learning disorders and children with behavior disorders and understand that while it is not easy to stay focused all the time, it can be done.
In order for students to take shop and building type courses it is important they can read and follow directions, measure accurately and know about angles. Chemistry and physics are good to know for auto repair. Math is needed for sewing and cooking. Life is all related to learning the basics and how things interact with each other.
by  Golfelda
 16 May 2009 02:04
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The one thing that schools really need to be teaching is critical thinking and logic. It isn't enough to be able to parrot back facts, you need to know *WHY* those facts are facts and how you tell the difference between facts and empty claims. Otherwise all you're turning out are mindless drones.
 
 Cephus  07 Apr 2008 18:12
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I think that students should have their core classes specialized for them, according to what they would like to do later on in life. As a middle school student, I find that Science and some Algebra will not be useful to me considering the career path I'm planning to take.
 
 vintglam94  04 Apr 2008 21:23
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The school systems today do not teach the subjects that we can benefit from when we get out of high school.
 
 damake  04 Mar 2008 14:46
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Because we take stink-in biology

i mean when the heck are we gonna use this real life

we don't even have workshop at our high-school
how dumb is that
 
 taffy4jc  09 Feb 2008 04:38
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I agree completely. My chosen career does not involve half of the things that are taught in school. I have thought several times on when Algebra will be applicable in everyday life. I'm not going to go to the grocery store and add up my groceries using mx+b3=145. That is completely pointless. I think that high school students should be able to choose every academic course. English, History, and basic math should be the only mandatory subjects that are taught to every student.
 
 alex34  04 Feb 2008 02:29
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When a graduate person goes to give the interview for job, does he is asked the Newton’s law of motion? This is the basic query of many students that why not the schools do include those subjects which are really useful in their later life. Subjects like finance management, typing, business networking, time management and so on should be immediately included in the syllabus of school. With the help of these subjects anybody can be sure of his ability of gathering knowledge. This knowledge which is much needed in modern life will make a person complete in sense of today’s survival. But today’s school is lacking in this field very much. Without leaving the hands of primitive education system it is hard to create the perfect person in modern world’s context.
 
 sudipa  30 Jan 2008 21:02
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I definitely think that society should take over the educational system and create a school of life.
 
 Divinity  30 Jan 2008 02:50
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I am with you. There's things at school which don't be learning and some things which will be useful in later life.
 
 stupaulaz  18 Jan 2008 18:24
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Originally the education system concentrated on the three R's reading, writing and arithmetic. The world outside school provided the rest of a child's education. As the images of childhood have altered so has the aim and role of education
Obviously schools now have a much greater range of subjects from many disciplines.
Grammar schools and private schools tend to concentrate on the academic achievers and avoid time spent on the non - academic and this is fine for the youngsters who are going to go into higher education and careers.
However everyone should know how to cook, eat sensible foods, do DIY etc.
Yes I think schools should spend more time giving practical advise and life skills, though some would argue that it's in the home where this should be learnt.
Some youngsters would benefit a lot from less academic subjects and practical skills.
It's the ethos of what education should be about that needs examining and the role of all aspects of education that needs addressing here.
 
 Researcher  11 Jan 2008 09:48
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I'm not suggesting ditching academic pursuits altogether, just striking a better balance between academic and practical subjects.

I think the education system is currently pro-intellectualism, and the only people having their creativity "crushed out" of them are those students that aren't suited to academic study, but don't have the chance to express themselves any other way.

The anti-intellectualism in in wider society probably stems from the bad educational experiences of people who have had 'book-learning' shoved down their throat from day one, when they'd rather have been learning something more practical.
 
 deef77  10 Jan 2008 17:43
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Hi, deef77, I totally agree with you. Education system should change and should be more practical.
 
 uberlovely  10 Jan 2008 16:31
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Who agrees with me when i say it depends on the career you take
 
 gamenut  08 Jan 2010 05:08
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I think that some schools teach the skills needed.

I often find it really annoying that some schools teach some subjects, and others don't.

Despite saying that, although you do not need the all the algebra and science to get you into a grocery store, schools prepare you for further and higher education. You already have the skills you need to get into a grocery store.

Schools also prepare you for life a different way. It give you a chance to be around lots of people, to learn how to make friends. These are skills which would be useful for later life. Nobody wants to give a job to a surly-looking fellow who has no manners.
 
 Erin4567  08 Jun 2009 17:57
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I think schools DO teach the skills needed.
Cooking. You can cook. Skills needed.
Reading - reading directions from a container or cook book.
Math is needed to understand units of measure, fractions, times and temperatures.
Science- combining ingrdiends in the order they will mix or blend the easiest. Knowing how acids react with bases and how temperature effect the finished outcome. What temperatures things will boil or freeze is science.
Art- making the food not only taste good but look presentable.
If you have studied these in school, you have the skills it takes to cook.
 
 Golfelda  16 May 2009 02:21
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 Good points and schools do teach common sense things, just not in a classroom setting. Obviously, being on time for classes teaches time management, as does completing classwork and homework on time. If one wants to start a business, they have to be educated in the acedemic subjects first. They all teach different ways to use your mind. Maybe the work itself is not teaching a certain skill, but it does prepare you for life. We all have to use logic in life and we can learn logic from math. For most, the school system prepares people for college. If you want to learn a vocation or trade and start a business, most schools do offer vocational options. Lots of kids in high school are able to take some classes in a community college, both giving them credits torwards graduation and/or providing them with extra knowledge in a specific area of study so that they can apply that towards starting a business. There is so much involved in having one's own business that, to make that a part of the basic courses of study, many would be totally overwhelmed. Not only does one have to have the knowledge of the business that they wish to start, but tax laws (which change), financial knowledge, regulations and laws based on the business they want to start (such as daycare....there are specific regulations as to many aspects of startin one). There is a lot that goes into owning a business and each is different. It would be hard for the school system to touch on all of these.
by  my2cents2u
 16 May 2009 17:37
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What do you want us to learn we do everything we need
 
 Amber2015  02 Feb 2009 06:10
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Math is obviously a required subject. It's used in every job. English and Science are used a lot too. Not only are they important in your job, but also teaching your kids about it requires a greater understanding.
 
 heracross1  26 Nov 2008 22:37
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Um, how old are you? I am a recent high school grad and I was required to take classes on typing, using common software, money management, etc.
 
 sherbert  23 Oct 2008 04:24
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For one thing, school teachers ranging from K4 to high school have no idea what their students are going to do later in life. I agree that we need to change the American Education system in a way that we learn more and actually want to learn something instead of teens dropping out. But why i'm posting on this side is because what we are leaning in school is needed for life and that they also have extra classes that we can take such as key boarding, computer classes, home ec, foods class, etc. Just for those that are either interested in it or if they want to get a head start on subjects related to what they are planning to take for their future career
 
 ckell663  25 Sep 2008 02:13
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I think you are mistaken about what school teaches children!!

It is not just about the maths or chemistry. It is about being in a social environment which teaches you how to interact and work with people that you may not get on with. It teaches you enough life skills that will develop your maturity therefore you don't need a teacher to teach you how to start a business or manage finances, because you always work your way up, make mistakes and learn from them, this will allow you to get by in life.

Incidentally schools do offer subjects such as business studies etc. Which gives you an idea of how things like that work. But in all seriousness the tiny minority of people (i know there have been some) start their own business when they are that young, it all comes with experience of life.
 
 elmid  23 May 2008 18:45
 3 Comments
 
 If you look at the interactions on this web site, you'll see that social skills are not hardly taught at all in school, the interaction between people in school is vital to growth, but way more and better skills could be taught. As far a learning from our mistakes, ouch.. that's a tough way to learn and often costly, not only to the person, but others (children without fathers etc.) Ways to learn without making mistakes would be a great subject in school.
by  stever
 23 May 2008 19:09
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It just amazes me that people think they need a schoolbook, a school teacher and a school building to learn! If you want to learn to cook, decorate, repair your window, etc - then take those academic skills you were taught and use them to learn!!!

I teach my children to teach themselves. My 9 yr old can learn what he wants to and never gives a thought to who will teach it. He knows that the library and book stores have books. He knows that learning is about reading up on the subject and then getting some experience by actually trying...not by having an older person stand in front of the classroom and read to you followed by interpretation of what was read. US students are a frightening bunch, they need to get serious about education. I'm sure other kids in other countries do too but I'm not seeing article after pathetic article telling how terrible they are doing in school.
 
 momof3  11 May 2008 19:16
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When I was in middle school, it was virtually mandatory for girls to take home economics: Cooking, sewing, knitting and crocheting. (Boys were required to take auto- and wood shop or drafting.)
But the problem was, most of the foods they taught you to cook were things you’d never make in real life -- who’s ever heard of “floating island”?
As for teaching fewer “academic subjects,” is that the “Three Rs“? Never as an adult have I used geometry or chemistry, but doing basic math and reading are skills I use every day.
We’d be a lot better off if we taught ONLY the Three Rs!
As for managing one’s time and finances, that can’t really be taught in school. Those factors are things every successful adult must learn to do on his/her own.
And decorating, that’s too broad a subject -- how can one teach the concept of “taste”?
 
 chispa  07 May 2008 20:54
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I think maybe there are other places to can go to learn about what you said. But i do know that none of that academic stuff is useless at all!

Think about it if you didn't do any of that would you be as smart as you are now? They teach you that stuff more to get your brain working and thinking, it also helps with your people skills and things like that.
 
 Jessie  18 Apr 2008 00:03
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No. Academic classes are essential at the high school level. The academic classes such as English, Math, Science, and Social Studies all teach life skills that are useful later in life. Many people do not see how they are useful, but the assignments you do in these classes teach you to read, write, problem solve, analyze, and more. Yes, they should add more electives that will be useful in life and work, but they should not eliminate any core academic classes. Students need to see how these classes benefit them and how they could use what they learn in these classes in their everyday life and work. I strongly believe that every class you take and everything you learn will benefit you in one way or another in the future.
 
 BullDog  12 Jan 2008 02:26
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Schools already gives load of burden to students with geography, bio, English, chem, maths, physics and etc etc. Students should learn somethings at home or by their surroundings....
Like typing, and how to start a new business.
While time management is learnt in school. There are students who are able to cope up with all the burden, and some are able to manage.
Parents are always complaining about the burdens so i think school should be the way they are..
 
 mezzzo1  11 Jan 2008 20:18
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I don't think it's up to schools to teach anything but academic and related subjects.
School shouldn't replace and take over what should be parental responsibilities.
Surely mothers and fathers should teach their children other skills such as cooking, home improvement, sex education and the rest.
I know that all parents don't have all the skills for this but in the past children learnt about them from life, relations, watching others, skills passed down through generations.
It's family life we should be looking at here. Children can use PC's and too often. If they weren't in front of them and televisions so often they might learn more practical skills. Apprentice schemes were wonderful and the government is talking about re-introducing them. This would be a great idea for the young people who aren't academic. They need to bring back different sorts of schools to cope with different needs too.
 
 Sophie1  11 Jan 2008 10:14
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You have your whole life to do boring practical things like learn about tax returns, at least during your schooldays you should be able to discuss interesting things like novels and historical events before going out into the world and getting all your creativity crushed out of you. The idea that our education system is "obsessed with academic subjects" is typical of British anti-intellectualism. Reading books = a bit french.
 
 nanpansky  10 Jan 2008 17:19
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 Good point.
by  aimee
 10 Jan 2008 21:45
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