In today’s scenario, we face unprecedented challenges – social, economic and environmental – driven by accelerating globalization and a faster rate of technological developments. At the same time, these forces provide us with myriad new opportunities for human advancement through education.
On the contrary, current education system is preparing students only for jobs. It is not a question whether the education provides or fails to provide employment but it is a question if the education brings the best out of the children.
The children entering schools in 2019 will be young adults in 2037. Schools are expected to prepare them for jobs that have not yet been created, to the technologies that have not yet been invented, to solve problems that have not yet been anticipated. It is going to be our shared responsibilities to seize opportunities and find solutions.
To navigate through such uncertainty, students have to develop curiosity, imagination, resilience and self regulation; they have to respect and appreciate the ideas, perspectives and values of others; and they need to cope with failures and rejection, and to move forward in the face of adversity. Their challenges will be more than getting a good job and a high income; they will also need to care about the well-being of their friends and families, their communities and the planet.
The shift from rote learning of the facts and the ready made solution to bringing the human capabilities in a child is the need of the hour. A Paradigm Shift is needed across and all levels of the education system. To be precise:
✓ The shift is needed right from the curriculum. There are several passionate interested groups working on this. Frameworks are developed by a few groups to assist such shifts (Ex: UNICEF quality education research, OECD 4D framework, Education for Human Potential etc)
✓ The increasing social need, technological advancements, parents who are aware and expect more, stringent regulations and the 21st century students make the role of education leadership complex. A mix of Transformational and Situational leadership is needed at this juncture.
✓ Innovative best practices are needed in schools. The quality of teachers and educators, methods and methodologies need to be innovative and effective. Teachers’ role should be shifted from content deliverers to the facilitators and mentors.
✓ The design of educational infrastructure affects learning through three interrelated factors: naturalness, stimulation, and individualization. The focus should be shifted from the wall-surrounded class rooms to a campus which encourages creative, innovative and research-oriented learning culture.
Education can equip learners with agency and a sense of purpose, and the competencies they need, to shape their own lives and contribute to the lives of others. As Educators, we have to focus on preparing students as adaptive experts who have the ability to apply the learned knowledge to solve challenging problems.
We have a bigger responsibility to make such shifts progressively and successfully. It’s in our hands now. We need to be the change or at least a part of the change.
Dear Educators, it is high time to start.
Source: published in an anonymous magazine. Which was circulated through WhatsApp in a document.