Have you ever sat in a classroom wondering, “How is this helping my life? Or maybe you’ve scrolled through social media and seen posts like: “School is a scam. Learn a skill and get rich.” It makes you think, is there truth in that? Is school really a waste of time? Or are we just using the system the wrong way?
Why People Say “School is a Scam”
- “We don’t learn how the real world works.”
- “It costs a lot… and we still struggle.”
- “It’s all about passing, not learning.”
- “Creativity gets crushed.”
- “Grades don’t guarantee success.”
- “School is outdated.”
And the internet doesn’t help either. You see 22-year-olds making millions coding in their room, running fashion brands, or flipping real estate and you wonder: “Did I really need that four-year degree?
Source: Goodreads
What School Actually Gives You (That You Might Be Ignoring)
When people say school is boring, outdated, or even a scam, it’s easy to focus on what it doesn’t provide. But let’s flip the script for a moment. What if school offers more than we realize, things that don’t show up on report cards, but shape our lives in powerful ways?
- Structure and Discipline: School teaches you how to follow routines, meet deadlines, and manage your time.
- Social Skills and Communication: Where else do you learn to interact with people from different backgrounds every day?
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:
- Exposure to New Ideas: School introduces you to subjects, cultures, careers, and ways of thinking you may never have explored on your own.
- A Safe Space to Fail and Grow: Unlike the real world, where mistakes can be costly, school gives you a space to fail, learn, and try again without major consequences.
- Credentials That Open Doors: School isn’t perfect and needs to evolve, but dismissing it ignores how it shapes your mindset, habits, and character. Its value often lies beyond textbooks, in things you don’t immediately see. Look closer; it may offer more than you think. So no, school isn’t useless. But on its own? It might not be enough.
Source: oxfordreference
Why Skill Is the Game-Changer
In today’s fast-changing world, having a degree or certificate is no longer enough. What really sets people apart? Skill. Real, hands-on, problem-solving, value-creating skill. Here’s why skill is the ultimate game-changer:
- Skills Get You Hired, Not Just Grades
- Skills Make You Valuable Everywhere
- Skills Give You Freedom
- The World Rewards Results, Not Just Titles
- Skills Build Confidence
- Skills Are Learnable Anytime, Anywhere
Skill is the new currency. In a world that rewards action and ability, it’s not just what you know, it’s what you can do with what you know. Whether you’re a student, graduate, or job seeker, building skills puts you in control of your future.
Source: brainyquote
School vs Skill? Why Not Both
In today’s world, there’s a growing debate: “Do we really need school when skills are what actually get you ahead?” But what if the real power doesn’t lie in choosing one over the other, what if it lies in combining both?
School Gives You the Foundation, Skill Gives You the Edge. School builds discipline, thinking, and teamwork. Degrees still matter, but skills like coding or leading drive results. School gives theory; skills bring action. Learn both. Together, they make you capable and adaptable. Success comes from combining them, not choosing one. It’s not school vs. skill, it’s a partnership…
Real-world fusion examples
School: Economics degrees from Harvard and MIT
Skill: Policy-making, negotiation, leadership
Fusion Result: Became the first African and first woman to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her technical knowledge plus real-world economic diplomacy made her a global figure.
School: Degrees in economics and physics
Skill: Self-taught programming, engineering, entrepreneurship
Fusion Result: Used his formal education and skills to build companies like PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX. He’s not just book-smart—he gets things built.
School: Degrees in communication and political science (Nigeria) and creative writing (U.S.)
Skill: Powerful storytelling, public speaking
Fusion Result: Her education sharpened her writing, but her skill in telling deeply human stories made her a globally respected author and speaker.
School: Attended Harvard (didn’t finish)
Skill: Programming and business strategy
Fusion Result: Built Facebook while still a student—his early education helped, but his skills in tech and vision made him a billionaire.
Skill: Software development, business acumen
School: Attended Harvard (also didn’t finish)
Fusion Result: Used his early education and massive skill set to build Microsoft. His school background gave him a base, but skill built the empire.
These people show that school gives you the structure and foundation, but skills give you the tools to take action and stand out. They didn’t choose one—they used both to build lasting success.
Source: Goodread
So, How Do We Merge Both – School and Skill?
It’s not about choosing school or skill, it’s about making them work together. Here’s how you can merge both to become truly future-ready:
- Learn Actively, Not Just Academically
- Pick a Skill That Supports Your Field
- Use Online Tools & Platforms
- Start Small Projects or Internships
- Network With Skilled People
- Build a Portfolio, Not Just a Résumé
- Never Stop Learning
Bottom line
Is school a scam? Not really. But if you only rely on school, you might be scamming yourself. Get the degree but get the skill too.
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Reference
Onalo, E. (2024). Is school a scam? 10 reasons why you think school is a scam vs why it isn’t. After School Africa. https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/53622/is-school-a-scam-10-reasons-why-you-think-school-is-a-scam-vs-why-it-isnt/
Abdullahi, Y. R. (2023). School na scam: Is it a valid statement? Medium. https://medium.com/@yusufrufaiabdullahi/school-na-scam-is-it-a-valid-statement-2bb94cfd11e2/
Boyce, P. (2019). Schools are outdated. It’s time for reform. Foundation for Economic Education. https://fee.org/articles/schools-are-outdated-its-time-for-reform/ Tobias, C. (2024). Public education hasn’t evolved in 175 years, what does that mean for our children?The Washington Times. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/feb/19/public-education-hasnt-evolved-in-175-years-what-d/