I think that general culture is essential, which has been implemented in institutions since the Enlightenment. For this reason, it is normally taught up to BAC (even if there is a little specialization before in technical fields). The specialization and learning of engineering comes next. It is fortunate, otherwise we would hear from many what we already hear from marginalized extreme left: "education only serves to provide the bosses with manpower". Well no. Even philosophy is taught, which does not "bring" anything to the state or the economy but will rather open minds if the teacher is competent, which is not necessarily good for the bosses, it is an understatement.
General culture could seem useful because illiteracy closed all areas of knowledge for lack of being able to learn by oneself.
But we are in the 21st century. Sources of access to knowledge of all kinds (in an hour of documentary on art, a kid will know much more than in a succession of courses on the subject) from the minimum bases of instruction. It goes without saying that if this is only used to slump on a sofa to watch a football match, on TV, howling wolves, one (well several) beer in hand, general culture is not will not be of much use (especially since it will be long forgotten). So for one or two kids who will be happy to become adults, fuck everyone else.
The kids arrive at the baccalaureate without even knowing what they plan to do later, as there are so many uninteresting possibilities for them and they engage in precisely the least demanding sector. We should not dream and have illusions about the "educated" human being.
Even philosophy is taught, which does not "bring" anything to the state or the economy but will rather open minds if the teacher is competent, which is not necessarily good for the bosses, it is an understatement.
The big joke! Philosophy, as taught, is only an apprenticeship not to think, nor to dispute, not to diverge from the conditioning of society by asking them not to think and not to go off the rails all laid out. by the SNCF which run (or are directed rather) a company of sheep, to be sheared and devoured, if they give signs of wanting to escape from the electrified enclosure. Kind of modern Dachaux. And there are still some who fantasize about their illusions! Aren't you the one who disputes the deprivation of freedom to think ... outside the system precisely?
"We make science with facts, like making a house with stones: but an accumulation of facts is no more a science than a pile of stones is a house" Henri Poincaré
