Why Schools Should Teach More Practical Subjects?
Why Schools Should Teach More Practical Subjects?
Do you remember what you learned in school? How much of it was useful and relevant to your life and career? If you are like most people, you probably forgot most of the facts and formulas that you memorized for exams, and wished you had learned more practical skills that could help you in the real world.
Schools are supposed to prepare students for the future, but often they fail to do so. They focus too much on academic subjects that are disconnected from reality, and too little on practical subjects that can equip students with valuable skills and knowledge.
In this blog post, I will argue that schools should teach more practical subjects, such as taxes, coding, cooking, insurance, basic home repair, self defense, survival skills, social etiquette, personal finance, public speaking, car maintenance, and stress management. I will also explain the benefits of these subjects for students and society.
What are Practical Subjects?
Practical subjects are those that teach students how to do things that are useful and applicable in their lives and careers. They involve hands-on activities, real-world problems, and creative solutions. They also develop students’ cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.
Some examples of practical subjects are:
Taxes: This subject teaches students how the tax system works, how to file their taxes, how to plan their finances, and how to be responsible citizens. For example, students can learn how to calculate their income tax, how to claim deductions and credits, how to avoid penalties and audits, and how to contribute to social welfare.
Coding: This subject teaches students how to create programs, apps, websites, games, etc. using different languages and tools. For example, students can learn how to code in Python, Java, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. They can also learn how to design user interfaces, debug errors, test functionality, and publish their projects online.
Cooking: This subject teaches students how to prepare healthy and delicious meals, how to follow recipes, how to use kitchen equipment, and how to practice food safety and hygiene. For example, students can learn how to cook different cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Italian, etc. They can also learn how to measure ingredients, use knives and utensils safely, store food properly, and avoid food poisoning.
Insurance: This subject teaches students about the different types of insurance, such as health, life, car, home, etc. It also teaches them how to understand the benefits, risks, and costs of insurance, and how to choose the best option for their needs. For example, students can learn how to compare different insurance plans, how to read policy documents, how to file claims, and how to deal with insurance agents.
Basic home repair: This subject teaches students how to fix common problems in their homes, such as leaky faucets, clogged drains, broken windows, etc. It also teaches them how to save money, time, and resources by doing it themselves. For example, students can learn how to use tools, such as hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. They can also learn how to identify the source of the problem, how to find the right solution, and how to prevent future issues.
Survival skills: This subject teaches students how to survive in different situations and environments, such as natural disasters, wilderness, urban settings, etc. It also teaches them how to develop their resilience, adaptability, and resourcefulness. For example, students can learn how to find water, food, shelter, fire, etc. They can also learn how to use maps, compasses, GPS devices, etc. They can also learn how to deal with injuries, illnesses, poisonous plants or animals, etc.
Social etiquette: This subject teaches students how to behave appropriately and respectfully in different social contexts and cultures. It also teaches them how to improve their communication, interpersonal, and emotional skills. For example, students can learn how to greet people properly to use polite words to make eye contact to listen actively to express gratitude to apologize sincerely to give compliments to handle criticism to resolve conflicts to respect diversity etc.
Personal finance: This subject teaches students how to manage their money wisely and effectively by setting goals, budgeting, saving, investing, etc. It also teaches them how to achieve financial security and independence. For example, students can learn how to open bank accounts to use debit and credit cards to pay bills and taxes to plan for retirement to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. to avoid debt and fraud to donate to charity etc.
Public speaking: This subject teaches students how to deliver effective speeches and presentations in front of an audience. It also teaches them how to improve their speaking, listening, and persuasion skills. For example, students can learn how to choose a topic to research and organize information to write and rehearse a speech to use visual aids and body language to overcome nervousness and stage fright to engage and convince the audience to answer questions and handle feedback etc.
Car maintenance: This subject teaches students how to take care of their cars by checking the oil, tire pressure, battery, etc. It also teaches them how to prevent breakdowns, accidents, and expensive repairs. For example, students can learn how to change a tire to jump start a car to replace a headlight to check the brakes and fluids to wash and wax the car to deal with emergencies and roadside assistance etc.
Stress management: This subject teaches students how to cope with stress in healthy ways by using relaxation techniques, meditation, exercise, etc. It also teaches them how to improve their mental health and well-being. For example, students can learn how to identify the sources and signs of stress to manage their time and priorities to set realistic and achievable goals to cope with change and uncertainty to seek support from friends and family to practice positive thinking and self-care etc.
Why are Practical Subjects Important?
Practical subjects are important for many reasons, such as:
They prepare students for the real world and the industry by equipping them with relevant skills and knowledge. Students who learn practical subjects are more likely to find jobs, start businesses, or pursue higher education in their fields of interest. They are also more likely to adapt to changing demands and opportunities in the global market.
They enhance students’ creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills by engaging them in hands-on activities. Students who learn practical subjects are more likely to think outside the box, find innovative solutions, analyze information critically, and communicate effectively. They are also more likely to enjoy learning and develop a lifelong passion for it.
They make learning more fun, interesting, and meaningful by connecting it to students’ lives and experiences. Students who learn practical subjects are more likely to be motivated, curious, and confident. They are also more likely to see the relevance and value of what they learn, and apply it to their personal and professional goals.
How Can Schools Teach More Practical Subjects?
Schools can teach more practical subjects by:
Incorporating them into the curriculum as core or elective subjects. Schools can offer a variety of practical subjects that suit the interests, needs, and abilities of different students. They can also align them with the national or state standards and objectives of education.
Providing adequate resources and facilities for teaching and learning practical subjects. Schools can invest in equipment, materials, tools, software, etc. that are required for teaching and learning practical subjects. They can also provide adequate space, time, safety measures, etc. for conducting practical activities.
Hiring qualified and experienced teachers for teaching practical subjects. Schools can recruit teachers who have the necessary qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience in teaching practical subjects. They can also provide them with regular training, feedback, support, etc. to enhance their professional development.
Collaborating with external partners for teaching practical subjects. Schools can partner with industry experts, professionals, organizations, institutions, etc. that can provide guidance, mentorship, exposure, opportunities, etc. for teaching practical subjects. They can also arrange field trips, internships, projects, competitions, etc. that can enrich the learning experience of students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that schools should teach more practical subjects because they can benefit students in many ways. They can prepare them for the future, enhance their skills, and make learning fun. They can also benefit society by producing skilled, creative, and responsible citizens.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have any suggestions or questions?
Interesting topics:👇
Should you take a course before marriage
Best Universities in the World
A plan for a happy retirement journey
Emerging India in the last decade
Comments
Post a Comment