Should public speaking be a required course for high school/college?

I’m in my senior year, and we’re required to take 1 credit of speech (thankfully I’m taking a dual credit so it counts for college as well, meaning I don’t have to take speech again later). I have some nerves about it, but I know it’ll be fine.

However, this got me thinking: what about people with anxiety? Why should we have a course like this be mandatory when situations such as public speaking literally eat people alive?

So what are your thoughts? Should this be a mandatory class?

If not, should it only be mandatory based on whether you’ll need public speaking with the major you pursue in college?