In today’s rapidly changing world, education is increasingly being reduced to one purpose: employment. Schools are pressured to produce “industry-ready” graduates, while subjects that cultivate reflection, morality, culture, philosophy, and civic consciousness are slowly being marginalized. This is a dangerous direction.
As I see it, education must prepare us for life, not merely for work.
A job may sustain a person economically, but education should sustain a person intellectually, emotionally, socially, and morally. A nation cannot survive on technical skills alone. It also needs citizens with wisdom, compassion, integrity, patriotism, and the ability to think critically.
This is precisely why General Education subjects in higher education must not be removed, reduced, or downsized. Instead, they should be strengthened, enhanced, and properly complemented. Courses in history, literature, ethics, philosophy, communication, and the social sciences teach students not only how to earn a living, but also how to live meaningfully and responsibly.
Mind you, the perceived redundancy of some GE subjects is not sufficient reason to reframe, reduce, or dismantle the curriculum. If there are overlaps, then improve the structure, refine the delivery, update the content, and integrate interdisciplinary approaches. The solution to redundancy is reform and enrichment, not educational amputation.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution itself recognizes that education must foster nationalism, moral character, and civic responsibility. Republic Act No. 7722, or the Higher Education Act, likewise affirms that higher education should promote leadership, cultural heritage, and ethical values, not merely technical competence.
Historically, the world’s greatest educational systems were founded on liberal and humanistic education. Ancient philosophers understood that societies flourish when education develops both competence and character. Democracies require citizens who can reason, discern truth, appreciate history, and defend human dignity.
Ironically, even modern industries now seek graduates with communication skills, emotional intelligence, creativity, adaptability, and ethical judgment — qualities often cultivated by General Education.
Machines may replace certain technical functions in the future, but humanity, wisdom, and moral discernment cannot be automated.
Education should not create human robots programmed only for productivity. It should shape complete human beings capable of leadership, service, and nation-building.
My final take? Work is only one part of life. Education must prepare us for the entirety of life itself. ia/