On the issue of Secular Studies (which are not tomeh) Rav Avraham Yitzchok Bloch in response to Rav Shwab’s question about
this issue:
“This that you asked me to clarify the halacha concering secular studies and the nature of the curriculum of the German schools. However it is extremely difficult in these matters to provide a clear halachic response. Because these matters are largely built upon hashkofa and principles which are derived from aggada….are so strongly influenced in the specific nature of the people involved as well as the particular circumstances they are living in and other sociological and psychological issues…”
The Minchas Elozor z’l in his sefer Divrei Torah is also meikel
on the subject of secular studies for German Jews.
This is not a “blanket” heter for everyone to just go waste their precious time on secular studies!
Those who study Torah have been rebuked for even spending too much time davening (see chazal: manichim chayay olom v’oskim b’chaya shaah – how can they give up time from their eternal life (Torah study) on matters that are temporary (davening for gashmiyus)).
But those who would spend time speaking loshon horah or c”v other avoros MIGHT be allowed to waste their time on “parave” secular studies. Although, the secular studies cause a timtum a’lev v’hamoach, as is evident from many comments from members that contradict da’as v’hashkofas Torah.