More than just the core curriculum

Why students should learn life skills in the classroom

By Allie McIntyre STAFF REPORTER

“I wish school taught us how to do our taxes” is a common sentiment expressed by those who feel that school should be teaching them life skills as part of their education. A survey from Y-Pulse shows that 23% of Generation Z students wished that they were taught auto maintenance or basics of the law, 34% wished they had learned how to cook and 32% wished they had learned traditional finance in school. I believe that students should be required to take a life skills class in order to graduate. Although the core subjects that are taught are important for some, the reality is that many people will not use all of what they learned in school, especially if they are not going to pursue higher education. However, virtually everyone is going to need to know how to do laundry, budget, cook, do their taxes, have proper nutrition and pay bills. In 1970, schools began requiring home economics classes to teach students domestic skills. However, some schools have stopped offering and requiring these classes. In my opinion, reviving home economics classes would benefit students greatly. Although parents can teach their own children these skills, the reality is that some do not have the time or interest in teaching their own children. By having these classes required in school, we ensure that students know these life skills.

Teaching students these life skills can also grant them a sense of empowerment and self accomplishment. When I was 13 years old, my mother told me that I was going to have to make one meal every other Sunday in order to learn how to cook. Although I initially disliked this new responsibility, it taught me two life skills in the process. Not only did I learn how to cook several recipes, but I also learned how to plan out meals, making sure that each had vegetables and proper nutrition. Learning how to cook has given me a sense of empowerment, as well as a new hobby. It is a modern day survival skill, but it also provides a sense of satisfaction.

Although you can learn some of these things online, most of these skills, especially if they are handson, are best learned in person. If you have specific questions about something precise, such as sewing, it is beneficial to have someone next to you to aid you through the process. If school is the place where we are supposed to receive an education, then should it not be the place where we learn the skills that are most important to being an adult? In my opinion, school should be one of our greatest mentors in preparing us for all facets of life.