It’s a common adage that change is the only constant in life. Though it dates back to the 6th century BC, it is as relevant today as it probably was then. If I go back 10–15 years, none of us educators had ever heard of SEO professionals, social media managers, bloggers, telemedicine physicians or data science and mining professionals. Fast forward to just five years ago, and we have AI content creators, virtual reality consultants, and sustainability professionals. Interestingly, while searching for jobs in 2050, I came across space tourism guide!
The Educational Challenge
So what exactly are we preparing the students of today—or the job seekers of tomorrow—for? We, as educators or professionals, are clearly as clueless about future job prospects as our predecessors were regarding the job seekers of today. Therefore, the most pertinent question is: what do we equip our young learners with to ensure their employability in the coming decades? The World Economic Forum clearly states that, in addition to foundational literacies, competencies and character qualities are going to be essential for aspiring professionals of the next decade.
Foundational Literacies in Modern Education
Foundational literacies, in addition to literacy and numeracy skills, encompass digital literacy, financial literacy, as well as cultural and civic literacy. Students should be able to understand and integrate AI and create a balance between it and human abilities. AI needs to be rightfully integrated rather than used as a mere support tool. Schools should open the doors to students exploring ways and means of integrating AI. Cultural and civic literacy should be an integral part of elementary education. This will help foster respect and inclusivity, and at the same time empower young learners to be part of societal change.
Nidhi Thapar, Vice President – Academics, Ryan Edunation Services Private Limited.
The 4Cs: Critical Competencies for Tomorrow
Competencies comprising the 4Cs will arm the young learners of today to handle the complex challenges of tomorrow. Critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration need to be promoted through experiences that are created both inside and outside the classroom. Creating a safe learning environment will foster out-of-the-box thinking and promote risk-taking abilities. It will also encourage open communication through collaboration. Schools should be able to provide real-world experiences through internships and projects. This creates awareness of career options as well as serves as a step towards networking. The school alumni should be tapped effectively and forums ought to be created for experience and knowledge sharing.
Character Development and Emotional Intelligence
Character qualities play a significant role in enabling students to navigate an ever-changing world. The ability to lead and take initiative, be persistent to stay on course and not give up, yet be adaptable and flexible to change when required—these surely are qualities that can be nurtured through real-world projects. At the same time, socio-emotional learning is being acknowledged as a vital part of education, and it can help learners thrive personally and academically.
The 21st-century skills can be developed only when they are woven into the process of teaching and learning. Policymakers and educators are undoubtedly aware and conscious of the modifications that ought to be made, and a paradigm shift is happening with more focus on the process of learning.
