First of all, I want to give a big shout-out to whoever brought up this amazing topic. It really made me pause and reflect on my own education journey from those colorful preschool classrooms to the serious lecture halls of university.
So, here’s my answer to the question: Are all the courses we take in school necessary?
Yes… and no. Let me explain.
Growing up, I was the kind of student who tried to take every subject seriously. I memorized plant parts in primary science, struggled through algebra, copied long notes in social studies, and even tried to enjoy literature (which I now love, by the way). But looking back, I can clearly say not every course felt useful at least, not in the way it was taught.
Some subjects truly gave me tools I still use today. For example:
Basic math helped me manage money.
English and writing made me better at communication and expressing ideas.
Civic education opened my eyes to responsibility, rights, and values.
ICT/computer studies introduced me to tech which now plays a major part in my life.
But then there were other subjects that just felt... extra. I’m talking about topics that could have been taught faster, better, or combined with others. Why did we have different courses for "Agriculture," "Home Economics," and "Basic Science" when they all shared similar content in some parts?
I personally believe some subjects should be merged. For example:
Agriculture + Home Economics = Life Skills & Food Science
Civic + Social Studies = Society & Citizenship
Computer Studies + Practical ICT = Digital Life Skills
This way, students won’t feel overwhelmed, and the curriculum will focus more on application than repetition or more practical methods.
Also, some courses could be replaced or at least updated to include things that match real world of experience needs like:
Financial literacy
Mental health education
Entrepreneurship or content creation
Digital safety and ethics
Most students graduate without learning how to write a CV, manage a budget, or handle real life challenges. That’s something I feel strongly about because I faced it myself after school.
At the same time, I respect the idea behind giving students a broad foundation. Some of us discovered our talents in subjects we didn’t even like at first. So, I’m not saying remove everything but I do think relevance and usefulness should be the goal.
To all the educators, curriculum builders, and students out there thank you for always reflecting on how to make learning better. This conversation matters.
I’d love to hear your thoughts:
What subject do you think should be removed or merged?
Which one changed your life?
Let’s keep the discussion going in the comments.
