Chess as a school subject

I recently read articles announcing that Armenia had decided to require young children to study chess in school for about two hours a week to make the country more of a world chess power. If I'm not mistaken similar programs are also in place in Israel and Kalmykia. Also some schools in the US have chess as a mandatory subject. I thought I'd take this opportunity to publicly rant on this recurring subject and loudly voice my fairly worthless opinion;

Really? What a waste of time! I mean, chess as an optional, extracurricular activity is great, but after all, it's just a game. Forcing everyone to play chess seems kinda dumb. Some places are doing it because it's supposed to teach students to think better, but it really doesn't; Yes, there are studies showing correlation between kids getting good grades and playing chess, but that doesn't mean that chess helps grades, it means that getting good grades and getting good at chess generally involve the same skills (i.e. good memory, willingness to study hard, etc.). As for becoming a "world chess power", that's pretty pointless too, because chess is really just about having fun, and having good chess players isn't really going to make your country any better.

Alright, rant over.

i wait to your answer

Literature is even more worthless than chess, and still it's taught everywhere around the world.

Dude, you are so wrong, remember, correlation implies causation!  There are absolutly no hidden factors that could bungle those studies.  I mean, seriuosly, bro.

I can't say I disagree in principle with teaching kids to plan ahead, anticipate potential problems, and understand that actions have consequences. Seems many people don't understand these things. Realistically though, 2 hours a week isn't much, there are probably better ways of teaching these things, and schools have a hard time (it seems) teaching what they need to/should teach anyway. Things like reading, writing, math and such are a much higher priority, and it doesn't make sense to take any time away from them lesser concerns.

Right; if you're going to set aside time to teach planning, analysis, and whatever students are expected to learn from chess, then it's probably a lot more efficient to do it somehow more directly.

children will remember it, if is it fun. Is shouldn't be part of a extracurricular but an activity.

I've got two sons (10 & 14) and they both say the same ting after school "It was boring, it suck, what a waste of time etc."

You can have literature about chess, but not chess about literature. I'ma stick with literature as what I think should be compulsory.

It may be more efficient, but having taught elementary school children chess myself, I can tell you it won't hold their attention the same way.  Consider the options: 
1) "Hey Timmy, let's learn anticipating consequences and analysis of complex iterations!"

2) "Hey Timmy, let's play a game with kings and queens and knights!"

The point of having chess in schools is that it engages the competitive drive hammered into youth and imparts useful intellectual tools and keeps (some) kids interested more than they would be with dry logical proofs to learn the same skills.  Certain skills you sharpen are clearly fungible (i.e. constructing syllogisms and doing math), and if kids can play a game to build those tools, all the better.

Plus, it's pretty fun :-)

That is a very good point, however, you can't really say that all kids will find chess fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation

XKCD #552.

Its building a healthy habit.  Relax.  And honestly if Armenia was to become a chess powerhouse it would bring benefits to the country economically, and give the country identity and fame.

That its just a game about having fun is exactly what makes it a good tool to get kids to exercise their mental faculties.  Its a healthy pastime for anyone and as a chess player I'm happy to see the game thriving and respected over there.  There isn't anything to be angry at here.

interesting.  Mr. burns agrees.

 blasphemer

Speaking of schools and whats required...... is PE ( physical education ) still required ?  I would have to say from the looks of many kids these days its not. I used to love PE as long as it wasnt cold outside.... 

Im almost finished school, i wasted 4 years doing subjects i knew i hated such as french,history and re. I WISH our school did chess as a subject, and a lot more PE

PE is only still required in Illinois.  I loved gym.

I was just messing around.  I know it really doesn't.

please let me know which schools in the USA or anywhere in the world require chess as a mandatory school subject - I will send my kids to one of these schools - please do not think I'm joking... I look forward to your replies. Many thanks!