Dear Editor,
Many debates have been held as to which subject is the most important and which will play the most significant role in our lives. Many educators feel that Mathematics and English are the ‘trump cards’ regarding this aspect. They also feel that these two subjects will lay the foundation for future success. I do agree with this, but only to a certain degree. Social Studies is usually over-looked in this aspect and so I believe that this very diverse subject plays a crucial role in our future success. According to Mr Ally, “Mathematics and English will make you marketable but Social Studies will make you functional.” There is no point in an individual acquiring a job today and getting fired soon after because he practises behaviour that is socially unacceptable. Social Studies not only teaches facts but it also enlightens the population about a better way of life and a higher standard of living and it also shows us the route to get there.
Students often opt to do Social Studies because they feel it is an easy subject. These same students do excellently in their exams but they fail to realise the importance of this subject. Knowing the concepts and applying them are completely different things. The old saying ‘Practise what you preach’ is quite applicable in Social Studies. You must do what you say. For instance, the students know that conservation is important and since they agree with it, they should do it; they should conserve.
I implore my fellow teachers to teach Social Studies with the same zest and zeal that they teach the other subjects so that our students can recognise and appreciate its importance.
Yours faithfully,
Andre De Freitas
