Thoughts on ‘Bachelor of Arts without art?’

As a Bachelor of Arts graduate, I hastened to read the article “Bachelor of Arts without art?” (Safe Space, 7/10/25) by Anna Cristina Tuazon after seeing the headline. The article is clear, especially amid recent proposals to shorten college education to just three years. Tuazon’s piece carefully defends the value of general education, which, to an increasing extent, is under threat in the name of refining academic pathways.

It is appalling to read that a senator claimed general education is ”unnecessary and that students are better off focusing on their concentration.” As a university lecturer who teaches general education courses, I strongly disagree. These foundational subjects are imperative in providing students with a comprehensive education that extends beyond their specific fields of study. They help develop critical thinking, master communication and social skills, and raise cultural awareness, which are vital in any profession.

This suggests the urgent need to curate efforts that reinforce foundational skills through general education. I believe educational institutions and the government should invest more in improving the delivery and relevance of these courses, not to justify their existence, but to fulfill their indispensable purpose. As Prince Kennex R. Aldama beautifully wrote (“Our commercialized idea of education,” Commentary, 6/21/25): “General Education courses are not mere academic fillers. They are designed to develop the intellectual, ethical, and cultural capacities of students, equipping them with the tools to engage thoughtfully and critically with the world. The goal is to ensure that college graduates are not only skilled in their fields but also possess cultural literacy, ethical grounding, and a global perspective.”

JHON STEVEN C. ESPENIDO,
Surigao City