In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the significance of art classes in enhancing pupils’ academic performance. While some believe that integrating art into the curriculum fosters better learning outcomes, others, including myself, argue that greater emphasis should be placed on core academic subjects. This essay will discuss both perspectives and present my personal opinion.
On the one hand, proponents of compulsory art education argue that adding art into the curriculum significantly boosts students’ cognitive abilities, creativity, and overall academic performance. To explain, when learners are engaged in art, it stimulates both the creative and analytical parts of their brains, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking abilities that can improve performance in other academic subjects. For instance, a study conducted by the University of Oxford, England, revealed that students engaged in art learn new lessons faster than their peers without artistic inclinations. Thus, it is evident that participating in such a subject not only enhances their cognitive functions but also helps them perform better in their classes.
On the other hand, opponents and I are convinced that art is not a practical subject and incorporating it into the school curriculum could negatively affect pupils as it can jeopardize their future careers. In other words, if they devote significant effort to this discipline, it would impact their overall grades in other subjects since it is time-consuming. For example, a recent survey conducted by Time magazine has shown that schoolboys who study art has lower grades; as a result, they receive fewer job opportunities due to their poor academic performance. Hence, it is clear that if they had focused on the core subjects that are essential for the modern job market, they would have secured successful jobs to support their livelihoods.
In conclusion, based on the aforementioned arguments, it can be reiterated that while art can contribute to the development of vital skills, I think that it is pivotal to focus on academic subjects that can guarantee a person’s ability to lead a successful and fulfilling life.