IELTS Essay # 27 - Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.

Essay # 27

Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.

Children in school, learn how to excel academically in the world, as well as be good citizens of the society.  A lot of people feel that emphasis should be done on teaching how to become the latter, while some prefer both. This essay shall discuss the importance of both these factions and come to a conclusion.

The fact is that most parents and educators, when clearly asked, do not want education for work and self-development as the prime outcome of schooling. They want much more. In other words, in addition to cognitive learning of basic skills and even critical thinking skills, the emotional and social well-being of the child is paramount. Helping children develop in these arenas is a key expectation and goal for most people.

If schools seek to help students achieve personal excellence and become effective citizens too, their learning activities must be organized quite differently. In such schools, the curriculum would necessarily offer many rich opportunities rather than focusing only on narrow basic skills. Students are nurtured to become adults who have skills, attitudes, and knowledge to be productive community members, leaders, parents, as well as workers. 

Personally, at school, I learnt how to get on well with people around me, even if they are of a different background. I learnt many civic and social skills in addition to working towards my ambition to become a successful individual, career-wise. I believe schools consciously work to polish both these qualities in a child, and emphasis on any one shall result in incomplete learning.

To conclude, I’d like to say that schools should continue training children to become better citizens and workers of the society along with becoming recognized for their individual potentials. In this way, children can grow up to be progressive and humble adults.

(297 words)