More and more schools these days promote the sciences and maths, as well as sports in their curricula. Less attention and effort is directed toward helping students explore the arts, such as painting, music, and dance. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this approach, and say whether you agree with it.

The objective of every educational institution is to prepare students to meet the demands and challenges of an increasingly competitive world. Thus, students are being equipped with the skills and know-how that will make them employable, including social skills gained through sports. It is thus easy to see the benefits of an education based on sciences, maths, and sports. Nevertheless, I believe that a well-rounded individual is one who is also imbued with creativity and imagination, not simply cold facts that limit innovation. As the world becomes more digitized and efficient at doing everything from building skyscrapers to milking cows with robotic assistance, the need for workers who can adapt to the modern workplace is at an all-time high. Students immersed in the sciences and maths are likely better able to understand the workings of the machines now utilized in almost every industry and can therefore contribute more to employers who use them. Moreover, having been involved in sports allows them to work well with others and to understand the common language of teamwork. That being said, one wonders where innovation will come from if an entire generation is taught to think that 1+1=2. If every graduate is well endowed in mathematics, for example, what competitive edge will one have over the other? This is where the arts come into play. Activities such as painting and dance provide young people the opportunity and space to explore and express themselves, to create new things, and to rise above the herd. Take Steve Jobs as an example. Most people know him as a tech giant; yet, Jobs did not make Apple Inc. the juggernaut it is because he studied math in university. On the contrary, Jobs found his inspiration in a calligraphy class he sat in on after he had dropped out of college. Art, then, not science is what made him an innovator. In conclusion, while schools have a duty to equip students with the tools for success, this should not be limited to technical subjects. A well-balanced education should also provide youths with the environment and encouragement to reach beyond static formulas.