Wilhelm von Humboldt, who reformed Prussian education, wrote to the king that certain knowledge must be general to all. Jeder ist offenbar nur dann ein guter Handwerker, Kaufmann, Soldat und Geschäftsmann, wenn er an sich und ohne Hinsicht auf seinen besonderen Beruf ein guter, anständiger, seinem Stande nach aufgeklärter Mensch und Bürger ist. Everyone is clearly a good craftsman, merchant, soldier or businessman only if he is, in himself and without regard to his particular occupation, a good, decent person and citizen, enlightened as befits his station. If school gives him this, Humboldt went on, he will later acquire the special skill of his occupation easily. He will also remain free to move from one occupation to another.
In Humboldt’s plan, the special field comes after a broad base. It does not replace it.