Relevance of the Arts

Essay

Whether history should be compulsory for all students has become a controversial issue. While some argue that history deserves priority as a major subject, others insist that different disciplines are more relevant to the demands of modern life. I believe a balanced curriculum is essential, in which history is important but should not dominate at the expense of other key subjects.

On the one hand, supporters of history as a core subject emphasise its role in shaping informed citizens. Studying past events enables young people to understand the origins of contemporary political tensions, social inequalities and cultural values. For example, knowledge of colonial history helps students interpret current debates about migration and racism more critically. In addition, history trains vital academic skills such as critical thinking, evaluating evidence and recognising bias in sources, all of which are indispensable for democratic participation and for resisting misinformation.

On the other hand, critics argue that other subjects better equip children for today’s rapidly changing world. Science, technology and mathematics directly underpin economic development and innovation, while subjects like computer science respond to the digital transformation of workplaces. Furthermore, practical disciplines such as financial literacy or environmental science may have a more immediate impact on young people’s daily decisions, from managing personal budgets to adopting sustainable lifestyles. If curriculum time is limited, over-emphasising history could reduce exposure to these areas that are closely tied to employability and global challenges.

In my view, forcing all students to major in history is unnecessary and potentially counterproductive. Instead, history should remain compulsory up to a certain level to ensure a shared civic foundation, but students should be free to specialise later in fields that match their talents and society’s evolving needs. Such an approach preserves the cultural and ethical benefits of historical study while recognising the indispensable role of other subjects in preparing children for contemporary and future realities.