One school of thought holds that it is not necessary for children to go to school because they can learn by themselves at home through online resources. While this thinking can be valid to a certain extent, I would argue that schools still play a significant role in teaching and learning.
On the one hand, it is understandable why some hold the view that young people can absorb insights from the Internet. The key rationale behind this perception is that a vast amount of information is freely accessible online, which facilitates children to learn by themselves more conveniently and rapidly. For example, on VTV, there is a variety of channels that assists children learn English, Physics or Math, so they may not need to attend educational institutions. Another possible justification is that studying at home can save money because there is no fee when children learn at home. Particularly, families with limited incomes can avoid tuition fees and additional expenses like transportation or school uniforms. Therefore, adults can reduce their financial burden and allocate money for some essential household expenses.
On the other hand, I am convinced that schools are indispensable in children’s overall development. First, moral lessons are taught by professional teachers in schools that cannot be replaced by the Internet. For instance, in Japan, schools conduct moral classes for students to learn how to respect, empathy via role-playing and discussions. These interactive and hands-on activities cannot be achievable through self-learning. Second, the prevalence of fake news is rampant on the Internet and poses significant risks to children who have insufficient cognitive thinking. Besides, when exposed frequently to such information, they can be affected, not least distorting their perceptions. Although a wealth of knowledge is available online, young learners may feel overwhelmed by its unstructured nature. However, in schools, this information can be structured logically and rationally that lays a solid foundation of accurate knowledge.
In conclusion, while there are justifications that the Internet can replace the role of schools, I am of the opinion that schools cannot be surpassed by the Internet.