Loading video…
Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Dialogue
Professor Chronicle: Good morning, Dr. Spark. I see you’re still designing that solar-powered hover-bike. A commendable goal, certainly.
Dr. Spark: Professor! Commendable, but practical! This design addresses urban congestion and energy consumption—two massive global issues. That’s why science and technology are indispensable today. They provide tangible solutions.
Professor Chronicle: Tangible solutions are useless without human wisdom to guide them. What happens when your hover-bike tech is weaponised? History teaches us that every great human invention, from gunpowder to nuclear physics, has the potential for profound misuse.
Dr. Spark: But history can’t solve global warming! I need chemistry, engineering, and mathematics to model climate systems and develop renewable power sources. My subjects focus on progress—moving the human story forward. Yours just looks backward.
Professor Chronicle: Ah, but looking backward is how we prevent recurrence. We study the great economic crashes, the political collapses, and the ethical breaches of the past to build a more stable and just society today. History provides the ethical blueprint for the future you’re trying to build!
Dr. Spark: Ethical blueprint, I grant you. But who drives the economic prosperity? Who creates the most lucrative careers? The coders, the data scientists, the biochemists! Nations compete based on their technological prowess. STEM is the engine of global competitiveness.
Professor Chronicle: And what if that engine has no steering wheel? Unbridled technological advancement, ignorant of social context and civic responsibility, leads to chaos. We need history to train informed citizens who understand the origins of inequality and conflict before they apply their advanced skills.
Dr. Spark: So, you’re saying both are necessary, then?
Professor Chronicle: Precisely. Think of it this way: STEM is the power (the means), and History is the guide (the wisdom). We need both for a safe journey.
Dr. Spark: I suppose a technologically advanced world that keeps repeating the mistakes of the 20th century isn’t progress at all. Touché, Professor.
Model answer:
There is an ongoing debate about whether school curricula should prioritise history or focus more heavily on science and technology in the modern world. In my view, while each subject serves a different purpose, a balanced education requires both historical understanding and scientific advancement.
Many people argue that history is one of the most important subjects because it helps individuals understand human behaviour and avoid repeating past mistakes. By learning about previous conflicts, political failures, and economic crises, students gain vital insight into how certain choices can lead to negative consequences. For instance, studying the
causes of major wars helps young people recognise the dangers of extremism and understand why international cooperation is necessary. While history may not provide direct solutions to modern technical problems, it plays a particularly important role in shaping ethical awareness and responsible citizenship.
Others, however, believe that science and technology deserve greater priority, particularly because they address today’s most pressing global challenges. Subjects such as engineering,biology, and computer science equip students with the skills needed to deal with issues like climate change, public health crises, and economic development. A clear illustration of this is the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, which demonstrated how scientific research can protect millions of lives and support global stability. However, without ethical guidance,scientific progress alone is not sufficient to ensure long-term social well-being.
In conclusion, history plays a vital role in developing ethical awareness and responsible citizenship, while science and technology are essential for addressing modern global challenges. Only by recognising the strengths and limitations of each can education systems prepare students for sustainable, balanced progress.
Leave a Reply