The proportion of time in school devoted to the basic skills and the main academic disciplines has been curtailed in favour of other activities. General education courses may be squeezed out of curricula in schools and universities in order to introduce specialized courses focused exclusively on trades and professions, an act which is an abuse of the entire educational system and a jettisoning of centuries of educational and cultural heritage. Universal education prior to, and along side of, trade, technical and professional preparation is increasingly being eliminated with an irreparable loss to society. Indeed, although periodic doubts have arisen about the content, form or control of education, or its usefulness as a tool of development, the trend has continued whereby schools are burdened with tasks previously regarded as the normal responsibility of family or society.