Starting with this fall term, students in primary and middle schools will have at least one course every week on basic household skills such as cleaning and cooking, according to a new curriculum standard (课程标准) for labor education in compulsory (强制的；义务的) education made by the government. Should household skills be made compulsory at schools?
Michael: By learning basic skills like cooking, cleaning and maintaining home appliances (电器) children can learn how to take care of themselves and live independently. Parents won't always be there to help their children with every problem they'll meet in their lives. They need to learn new things, make mistakes, solve problems and grow from their experiences. It is necessary for children to learn these important lifesaving skills as early as possible.
Eliza: Many students have to study for the whole day and simply don't have the time to develop their interests. A compulsory household skills class can give them more chances to meet various aspects of life and help them discover different passions. Some children who are interested in food or those who have an interest in maintaining home appliances can develop these skills in the class.
Jade: There are only limited hours in a school day. With all the required classes there is not enough time for household courses. I think it is something that parents need to do at home with their children, having them help around the house with cooking, cleaning, washing, planting, etc. Remember school can't teach your children everything. They need you, too！
Ben: Household courses should be made optional (可选择的) for students. They should be given the choice to take whatever they like. If one wants to cook dishes, he or she is welcome. But it should not be made compulsory and forced onto every student.
Linda: Schools should have cooking classes. Children will be taught about their food, where it comes from, how to use the cooking tools properly and how to cook nutritiously. Many parents don't have this knowledge and have no time or energy to do this. A household class would provide the knowledge and training that parents are unable to give their children.
Maria: I learned some basic cooking skills from my mother, but most of them were learned after I graduated from college, from cooking books and online short videos. Household skills like cooking are much more useful than a lot of what is taught in schools, but it does require some fully equipped（配备齐全的）kitchens.1 hope these classes will benefit (使受益) students and not be seen as window dressing.
