When we were in high school, young and naive, we used to argue about who is taking the best courses between science subjects and art subjects.
I remember at Ilboru High School, we used to have these conversations very often. There were three subject combinations —PCB, PCM, and HGL. I was in the HGL class.
The guys in the science subjects were always successful at making us feel like we were taking useless kinds of subjects . And they had, of course, reasons to do so, basing on the fact that our arguments were pre-wired with the idea of employment.
So when we were assessing the importance of taking science or art subjects , we looked at it in terms of employability – which courses were on demand and which ones were not. Employment was a sure thing to our brothers in the science subjects. There were plenty of examples to draw. The government needed more experts in engineering, medicine, science teachers than it needed in the humanities field. Guys took courses that they did even like just because it was said to have a better salary.
Looking back at that time, I see how little did we know that changes were coming. Now the tables have turned. Neither taking science subjects or art subjects guarantees getting a job. Our employment-mentality didn’t allow us to see this coming. I always laugh with my friends when we see each other —PCB takers, PCM takers, and HGL takers, all in the street doing other jobs differently from the ones we expected.
The world needs STEAM education
So what advice would you give to your young brothers and sisters about taking science subjects or art subjects?
Study the science of art. Study the art of science
Leonardo da Vinci
We first need to change the narrative. Unlike our parents and teachers who told us to take this course or that course because they thought it will get us hired later, our children should be allowed to take careers they like. Students should know that they are at school to get skills and knowledge to help them find solutions for their community problems —not to get a job. Let them take a course that they’re truly passionate about.
It’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing
Steve Jobs
To prepare our kids for the 4th Industrial Revolution, we need them equipped with both science and art. Today’s jobs are done with the skills and expertise drawn from different disciplines. Children will need an interdisciplinary approach to excel in the jobs of tomorrow. Many scholars are proposing the adoption of STEAM education. STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. To achieve this, however, we will need major reforms on our current education systems.
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