I would like people to take an open-minded view on this and not just, you're wrong, school is necessary.
For example, just a few days ago, I got detention for reading a book. Why? Just because I find reading a book is more interesting and intellectual than the lesson, I get punished?
Why should we the youth of today live in a dressed up prison? We're not allowed to choose where we go almost ever week of our childhood, we're not allowed to choose what we wear or what we do. Refusing to do so results in punishment. Full on oppression for just being a human being. I'm not a brainwashed obedient robot.
Just because older people say "We went through school as kids so should you!", doesn't mean we have the same opinion on the system. Art lessons today, We are told what to draw... its just destroying creativity.
And people say you need some sort of degree for a job later on in life... no, you don't. If you know the right people and if you get experience and show your work to companies they won't be to bothered about a diploma, if you're decent.
By all means school is a good thing, just poorly implemented, it doesn't need to be compulsory. If it was less oppressive, i would probably go voluntarily, if not I would spend me free time being an autodidact, learning myself. You say I need school to become successful, but successful means other things to different people.
Again I would love some open minded feedback on this, but I would probably get the odd person trying to tell me what is "right".
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I agree with you, and it depresses me to see someone saying it is impossible to learn anything outside of school. I'll admit that school works for some people, and they should have the option to go, but unfortunately most people who support school will not likewise admit that school doesn't work for everyone, and that they should have the option not to go. Libraries and the internet exist - is anyone really going to say these vast unbiased sources of information (in contrast to the biased curriculum and lessons taught in schools) are invalid and of no use for one to teach himself? Yes, things found can be biased, but the difference is in the choice of which to believe, if any at all.
And school is basically prison, I agree there as well. Students are subject to the absolute authority of the teachers and various staff, working with vague rules that are completely open to their interpretation. Then there's the legal requirement to be in a specific location at a specific time, under threat of legal punishment. And having to move at the sound of a bell.
You were punished for reading the book because, well, how dare you do something on your own and not blindly just do as you're told? Especially when it's doing something that shows you are willing to and capable of thinking for yourself! ...Keep it up. Who cares if you get detention - they don't affect your life, anyway. You can also just not go to them.
Summary: I agree, go you.
School is not optional. Even your art class, 'telling you' what to draw, is intended to teach the fundamentals of drawing. Most artists have a background based on schooling. They are free to let their imagination flow, and move away from that, but failure to learn the basics of color, perspective, balance and composition leaves them unable to decide later what to alter and experiment with. Almost all great artists began that way.
I find it bizarre that you were punished for reading, but it's I suppose understandable if you were reading something totally unrelated to your lessons. Yes, you have to accept the rules, we ALL have to live by rules in life. Once you grow up and move out into the real world, you'll realize how free you actually were in school.
Lastly, your argument about not needing a degree. Yes, I agree that a reasonably intelligent person can do many jobs without a degree. However, you will find it MUCH harder to get a job, and it will take MUCH longer to do so. Nobody will hire a kid out of high school for a high paying job, and even 4 years later, you're unlikely to have enough of the needed experience to get a good job. Yet the kid who went to university, who HAS a degree now, will probably find that he is offered higher paying positions with better potential. Not always, but most of the time.
Why is that? Is it because the college grad knows more? Nope. It's because the college grad is assumed to have learned how to work hard and study.
You seem to be assuming you'll get something by 'knowing' someone? I must say, that's a lovely philosophy.
No, school is not absolutely necessary for all people. But for the majority, it is absolutely vital. We have enough uneducated ditch diggers, we need engineers and scientists, teachers and researchers.
Okay, I'm 12 and disagree with your opinion. If I want to be a carpenter when I'm an adult, I need to know geometry. If I want to be a scientist, I need to know science. Perhaps if I wanted to be a scientist I could go to a school where I only learn science, but what if I change my mind? What if doctors didn't go to school? We wouldn't get very good medical attention! What if we didn't have school? We would wonder. About everything! I do not enjoy school, but I NEED it!