General Education or Specific Education

In some countries, 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. For today's world, which system is appropriate?

Historically speaking, schools arose from the “academia” of Plato, who primarily instituted this society as a place for both reflection and meditation for the true meaning of life, universe and our final aim as human beings. But this trend has incurred some tough tests recently for a totally different reason that Plato could not even dream of. As my own evaluation, the range of education cannot be just narrowed within those related to their future careers. What comes into my mind is that these children are not born for a sole purpose of being a worker or something. Predetermining their future career is just as a moon in the water and will also subject to great varieties of unknown possibilities coming directly in their future life. They are, however, and first , a son or daughter and then a citizen ,then a holder to certain careers. Therefore, we can figure out a truth that cannot be truer: those intellectual equipments that can better them as a good child and citizen alike should also be included in their both primary secondary and even tertiary education. Closely next to my previous thought was that a solely-career-related education may mislead their own purpose of life. Surely a decent income is of great significance, but it is far from the sole importance of life. If those youngsters are educated entirely for earning and enjoying their material life, our society may gradually turn to one that overwhelmed with nothing but the torrent of materialism and thus a world with nothing but just trading of Mammon and his wealth. This impact is even worse than just narrowing one’s education scope. Therefore, I hereby object to limiting the sphere of education only to the children’s future careers but they should first of all become a complete human before making a prospective wealth with full range of knowledge.

It is a highly debated issue whether secondary school students should study many subjects or only a few subjects. Both systems have their own merits. The answer depends on the students’ interests and the goals of their studies and the country’s requirement. There are many advantages of a broad range of subjects. To begin with, a broad range of subjects would provide a well rounded education which is very important for the holistic development of the students. In addition, students could find out what their real interests are as they would be exposed to a variety of fields of study. Just after passing out of secondary school students really don’t know what they would be good at. So, if they have to make decisions at that time, they would be guided by their peers or parents. If they make a wrong decision at that time then they may drop out of school or end up with low grades. Moreover, it is ideal for those students who have many interests. They will pursue education for education sake and not just learn a trade. Consequently, when they try to find out job after graduation, their versatility will allow them to apply for a wider range of jobs. On the other hand, there are many advantages of studying a narrow range of subjects. Such courses are basically vocational in nature. Such students find it easy to find a job in their specific field of study. Naturally, companies will be more interested in job applicants who have superior knowledge and so can make better contributions. What is more, these students enter the job market earlier and start earning. This helps them to support their families. This also allows students to focus on their interest and the subject relevant to them. A physics or chemistry student may feel out of place if he has to study ancient poetry or western literature. Finally, such students have lesser burden and so more time for hobbies. To conclude, both systems have their own merits. So it depends on students’ choice and needs of the country. One size fits all approach cannot be applied to today’s world.

Plan followed Intro: Both systems have their own merits. The answer depends on the students’ interests and the goals of their studies and the country’s requirement. Para 1: advantages of a broad range of subjects Para 2: More advantages of a broad range of subjects Para 3: advantages of a narrow range of subjects Conclusion: it depends on students’ choice and needs of the country. One size fits all approach cannot be applied to today’s world.