Should more importance be given to practical skills or theoretical knowledge in education? This question has been debated for a long time, much like the classic “Who knows more: someone who travels a lot or someone who reads a lot?” In my opinion, the answer is clear: theoretical knowledge is slightly more important than practical skills.
It’s easier to explain this with an example. If a person lacks practical skills, they may struggle with problems and find it difficult to reach a solution. However, if someone has no theoretical knowledge, they can’t even begin to solve the problem. Theoretical knowledge provides the foundation for understanding how to approach something. Even in schools, before teaching test-solving techniques, the subject matter is first explained. After all, if the topic weren’t explained first, what meaning would those techniques even have? Theories offer the essential background needed for practice to be meaningful and effective.