Schools Should Focus On Academic Success And Passing Examinations

Skills such as cookery, dressmaking and woodworking should not be taught at school as it is better to learn these from family. To that extent do you agree or disagree?

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Essay sample

Some people insist that the primary focus of schools should be equipping students with the knowledge and skills required to pass examinations. In their opinion, vocational skills such as carpentry or garment making should not be part of the school curriculum. While I do agree with the argument that schools should primarily focus on imparting academic knowledge, in my opinion, there is no harm in setting aside an hour or two a week for teaching vocational skills.

Not every student has the skills or attitude required to pursue a career in academics. Eventually, some students will quit academics and turn to alternative career options like carpentry, dress making or plumbing. Many students have the opportunity to learn these skills at home. For example, if the father or mother is a carpenter or garment maker, a child can easily learn those skills from their parent. Some students, however, do not have that opportunity. If the school offers a few lessons on these skills every week, it will certainly benefit those students.

Attending such classes is also an opportunity for these students to find out whether they have an aptitude for that particular career. Some children, for instance, may have an innate ability for garment making. However, without early exposure to that field they may never discover this interest. Vocational lessons in cooking or dress making also benefit those students who have absolutely no desire to pursue a career in those fields. These classes act as a welcome distraction for students who are tired of learning core subjects like mathematics or science for hours. They may also serve as an outlet for them to express their creativity.

In conclusion, there is no denying the fact that schools are meant for imparting academic knowledge. However, one or two vocational classes a week do not hurt anyone. These classes give students an opportunity to unleash their creativity. For some, they may also open the door to a future career.

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Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.