Innovation and creativity
Sirajul Islam (4 Oct) has undoubtedly cited a much debated subject to which no definitive answer exists. Emphasis on teaching of maths and science (at the expense of Humanities) is certainly good for society nowadays as there are more job opportunities at home or abroad for such students, whereas Humanities are good for developing civic sense, tolerance and other ingredients of a good society.
For innovation everyone knows that "Necessity is the mother of invention", so any one type of education would not necessarily make one an innovator. However, for technical innovation, especially in a digital age of computers and electronics, emphasis on maths and science is a must, although Thomas Edison had no such training and proudly proclaimed his intention to hire mathematicians and scientists for implementing his ideas.
Of course present day maths and science have evolved out of the closet of old Philosophy (i.e. exercise of the mind), and philosophers are still needed in society, but perhaps not in great numbers. So considering the welfare of the majority of a contemporary section of population, special emphasis on maths and science is not inapposite. Innovators can always hire them if there is a plentiful supply.
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