I say that it should be compulsory, even though I hate English to the core, it allows you to learn how to structure/write a formal piece of writing even thought it may just be memorising you tutors essay on crap you'll never use in your life.
I improved so much from year 10 onwards with my writing, so yes It should be compulsory, BUT the choice of whether you want it to count or not should be up to you. Now someone may argue why do it then? because it will teach you things which may come in handy at some point in life, even if that's 20 years down the track, you're setting the foundations now.
that said, I hate English.