I also learned how to dive with a snorkel but ditched it very quickly after finishing basics, i never understood the point of it to be honest.
Not to mention that in my opinion in a panic situation it could be (relatively) easy to confuse your snorkel with your'e regulator and just shove it in your mouth , it always bothers me, its uncomfortable.
Do you get a chance to use it? i personally haven't came across a situation where i thought i could use my snorkel at the moment, but your dive conditions might be different so im curious.