What is the future of schooling?

There has never been a time when schools have been more out of date and at the same time essential for children. It may be seem like a contradiction but it’s just the cold hard truth.

If you think about it, schools today are factories producing “educated” humans as the end product. Children are constantly told what and, more importantly, what not to do. Their life’s dictated by the sound of a bell.

Rapid automation has made this model obsolete. The ability of graduates to perform specific tasks in a routine and repetitive manner, which was prized in the 20th Century, has become a liability in the 21st. Programmers in exclusive tech parks face the same job uncertainty as receptionists or drivers who they are supposed to be “above” . Now more than ever, it is essential to tap into our creative and innovative side. The current model of schooling leaves students vastly under-prepared to face a new world.

So what is the future of schooling? Will everyone sit at home learning from online courses on their laptops, meeting each other only at centers to take exams? Or, will everyone have a visor stuck on their hands as they learn in their own personal world?

I hope not! Schools fulfill a purpose beyond just education. They provide an opportunity for students to interact with their peers that is unparalleled. They allow students to explore their interests outside just academics which is crucial as we try to educate the 21st Century human. The social skills learnt in schools are more important than ever.

So how do we change schools?

Firstly, schools need to end the one-shoe-fits-all model. We need to allow each student the flexibility to learn at their own pace while ensuring they meet certain standards and goals. The best way to do this is to change the role of teachers from educators to facilitators. A combination of online education along with machine learning based insight should allow a student to relatively self-study. The role of the teacher turns from imparting knowledge to guiding students on the right path and helping those who fall behind.

We also need to change the focus from theory to practice. Students should be graded not on their memorization skills, but on the outcome of that knowledge. Practical work should be more about exploration and creativity than on following instructions given.

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