I would personally argue the case for
a level of maths to be compulsory over english, if anything.
I get why English is compulsory however in maths even though not everybody wants to do it or is good at it, the logic, problem solving and reasoning skills developed in a mathematical subject benefits everybody. I'm not saying here that everybody should choose a subject e.g. Maths/Specialist in VCE, but a maths subject designed to build foundation numeracy skills that are pivotal to their future success in society. If students
want to choose these higher level mathematics subjects then by all means they should, but the alternative option exists however isn't taken up by many students OR schools (so a rethink is required)
Many students at my schools i've worked at (that i've spoken to) state to me they choose to do mathematics (e.g. general) because they correctly recognise the need for this, to get a good job and be successful. Some just hate the idea of maths altogether and that's fine, but we can't ignore the fact it is absolutely fundamental.
Perhaps I am biased with a STEM-like view, however one could make the case for both and if you are going to discount maths as a compulsory subject, then the same argument can also be applied to English. Both are fundamental to our society and future and I don't see a reason why we can't move with the trend of 7-10 with English/Maths as compulsory to make it consistent across the secondary schooling system.
It would certainly balance out the 'why is English compulsory and maths not?' argument.
The most ideal solution is obviously to make the HSC completely interest-based, but with current staffing shortages, it's proving hard to implement for the govt.
Wouldn't this be fantastic? However I really do think it isn't practical because even at the Year 12 level a lot of students have absolutely no bloody idea what they want to do and what they'll need to succeed. I think having a level of English and Maths enforced as part of the program is critical as those literacy/numeracy skills are required in all jobs and industries and without it, they'll be left behind. We have to remember that not everybody has an ability to take on those higher level subjects (or even go to university) and we must also cater to them and what they need to be successful.