GRE® essay: The sole function of public schools should be to teach academic...

[Novice]

The sole function of public schools should be to teach academic and practical skills and not inculcate ethical values
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I must say that I disagree to this view. Ethical values are necessary and beneficial qualities that should be inoculated in the minds of students for their successful futurity. Teachers should play a vital role in imparting ethical values to their students to prevent them from getting misdirected and indulge unknowingly in wrong practices.

Even though, the primary function of schools and colleges is to educate students, it is also their responsibility to help students lead a purposeful and serving life. It is in schools and colleges students develop their view on what a society is and learn their contribution in development of their nation. Students should know the past failures of ethical values in the history which greatly affected the progress of nation so that these types of incidents do not occur in the future. The recent infamous Satyam scandal would be an apt example for the ethical values issue.It has been reported that few of the subordinates of the CEO know of his scam. If they had blew the whistle earlier, Satyam would not be in this abject state as it is now.

Academics and practical skills are undoubtedly important skills for a student to compete in this era but it does not necessarily mean that ethical values must be compromised in attaining them. Without ethical values, even a savant will not be appreciated for his intellectual abilities. Ethical values are not just about discipline, punctuality etc. but also management skills, the ability to take a proper stance in an improper situation without which no person can have a successful tenure in any company.

The public schools should not restrict themselves to teaching. It is equally important for them to inculcate ethical skills as well. Any kind of prioritization between academics and ethics skills will only hinder the intellectual growth of student(In short, both should go in hand in hand) . A student with both these virtues is an asset not only to the nation but also to the whole world.

Ethical values are required for achievement in every field. They inculcate confidence, reasoning capabilities, ability to comprehend the needs of his/her organization which greatly influence organization's or nation's growth. It is as important for a student to develop ethical values as developing academic and pragmatic skills. If public schools go with the idea that their sole motive is to inculcate academic skills without instilling ethical values, it would lead to adverse effects which may not be reversible at all.

Academic and practical skills should not be considered as two separate entities from ethical values. Ethical values must be collaborated with them. Students should be taught where ethical values play an important role in their daily activities and difficult situations. Students can in turn hone their skills with additional knowledge of ethical values, which is considered an important factor in this multifarious modernized world.
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I agree that this essay may not be up to the standard required for the GRE exam but if you can point me where and what this essay lacks, it would of great help.

Thanks