Nobody knows how economy will be
in the next 15/20 years so it is impossible to know what our future needs will
be. “Standardized” education is no longer the answer.
There are still many
disagreements about how to improve the education system so that children
graduate with the skills and dispositions they will need to succeed in life.
Education reform discussions often centre on how to tweak existing mechanisms.
Nevertheless, nobody talks about a complete reformulation of the system. The
system itself is the problem.
The current system, based on conformity
and compliance, undermines the sincere efforts of educators, parents and children
with the confidence to face the world on their own terms. We must stop to get
preoccupied by a certain type of achievement and we have to start looking other
things children might be good.
We know education is a strategic
priority for countries in a globalized economy. A nation’s prosperity depends
on a prepared workforce.
Prepared in what?
Nobody knows how economy will be
in the next 15/20 years so it is impossible to know what our future needs will
be. “Standardized” education is no longer the answer.
The problem with this approach is
that it does not match with the diversity of the human being. This fundamental
diversity in the human population is not honoured within education that prioritizes
only a type of intelligence that favours academic work. Human intelligence is
more than academic work.
In terms of
achievements in life, what is the difference between a successful student and
an unsuccessful one?
The actual system marginalizes
other forms of intelligence. If we take into account the natural diversity of
human life, we will be able to guide more people towards achievements beyond any
expectations set for them.
How can such a small group of
people know what will truly be useful to a student in a quickly changing
future? Only with tests? We know what the current economy needs, but what about
20 years from now?
The fundamental principle on
which a satisfactory life is based is on the need to feel free to invent our
own life.
Learning to be and not
to do
In this approach, creativity is a
central element so educators’ mission should be to bring out the unique creative
energy within each child.
Education should enable students
to understand the world around them, and the talents within them, so that they
can become fulfilled individuals and active, compassionate and happy citizens.
Information is important, but it
is equally important for students to understand their own talents, motivations
and passions.
The individual’s worldview determines
whether that person stays in school, persists through challenges, and feels
motivated, interested, engaged and dedicated. He needs to learn to be
adaptable, to be innovative, to flow with change, to collaborate. All globalized
skills that he will apply to whatever area of work he is passionate.
An effective education should
show students different life paths and support them in finding their passions,
while giving them the transferable skills to attack and solve any problem.
It is no longer acceptable that
the education system is only focused on increasing the number of high school
graduates, with no concern for whether they become happy, fulfilled human
beings.
It is a cultural issue that needs
an Educators-Parents-Children teamwork. A mix of mentorship, arts, physical
education, academic subjects and more to create the environment in which kids
can flourish, for the benefit of the entire social system.
Thanks to Sir Ken Robinson
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