学校教育目的

I completely disagree with the view that schools’ core function is to cultivate children into qualified citizens and workers rather than benefit them as individuals, as individual growth is the foundation of people’s contribution to society, and the two goals are not mutually exclusive.

Admittedly, schools do undertake the responsibility of nurturing law-abiding citizens and competent workforce, which maintains social order and drives economic development. For example, civic courses teach students public morals and national regulations, while vocational training equips them with professional skills for future careers. However, these social functions can never be separated from benefits for individual students.

First, individual well-being and personal development are the precondition for a person to become a valuable member of society. If schools ignore individual needs, such as suppressing students’ personal interests or forcing them to learn subjects they have no passion for, they are likely to lose motivation for self-improvement. For instance, a student with a talent for art will hardly become a dedicated, creative worker if they are forced to focus only on practical job skills against their will, and may even feel resentful and fail to comply with social norms.

Second, benefiting individuals actually helps schools achieve the goal of cultivating good citizens and workers. When schools respect individual differences, support students to explore their strengths and pursue personal goals, students are more likely to develop a sense of achievement and belonging, thus being willing to take social responsibilities. Many successful professionals who make great contributions to communities are exactly those who have received education that values their personal growth.

In conclusion, schools should prioritize benefiting individual students, as this is the most effective way to nurture constructive members of society.