The federal government did a good job by removing Mathematics from the admission requirements for art students. There is no point in forcing an unnecessary subject on students whose disciplines do not depend on it. Anyone who truly understands education knows that Mathematics is not a core subject for art students.
The arguments that have followed this development have been, quite frankly, baffling. Some people claim that excluding Mathematics will make art students less creative; others say it will make them lazy — both are irrational thoughts.
Art students only need a basic understanding of Mathematics to function in daily life. In fact, many of us have forgotten much of what we learned in the subject just a few years after leaving secondary school. A subject that serves little or no purpose in one’s chosen field should not stand as a barrier to higher education. Mathematics is good, yes — but largely irrelevant to most art-related courses.
The new policy is simple and fair: tertiary institutions should admit art students who have at least a pass in Mathematics. There’s nothing controversial about that. Some critics are merely reacting out of ego, believing Mathematics to be the “best” or most superior subject. While Mathematics is certainly important, the most essential subject — especially for art students — is the official language, because communication underpins every field of knowledge.
Besides, this is not even a new development. I have a friend currently studying Law at a reputable university with a D7 in Mathematics. So, why the uproar?
There are countless people who do not excel in Mathematics yet are thriving in their careers. Knowing it does not automatically make anyone more intelligent or capable. Our art students will do just fine — and they will survive anywhere in the world.
