Education for a changing society

It is often said that that education shapes social change, but it is also true that social change shapes education. In many ways, education is the space where one generation fades into the next. As the world spins faster and becomes more globalised, the education sector is transforming its methods, focus, and performance.

Educators today are more than masters of their academic subjects. The social function of educators has changed drastically and many of the responsibilities that were traditionally carried by households have now shifted to the classroom. More students today seek stability, care, and social affirmation in their educators.

At the same time, educational programmes themselves are evolving to match the aspirations and opportunities of the future. Many countries around the world are tailoring new educational systems according to the Sustainable Development Goals set out by UNESCO, giving rise to a global citizenry grounded in diversity and understanding.

We find ourselves at an infection point that will not only transform the educational process, but the human story itself. Education is the most effective agent of social mobility because it gives individuals the opportunity to develop their skills and acquire new ones that will help them become engaged members of their communities. But it is unfair to expect everyone to succeed in life simply because they are provided an education; families present children with different networks, cultural milieux, and possibilities.

Students do not all stand on the same starting line and educational journeys need to consider the different backgrounds and circumstances of children.

Education is inherently oriented towards an improved future, but there is a danger in building an economy-centric system. Students need to adopt the necessary tools to carve out a living for themselves and the qualifications, knowledge, and skills learned at school contribute significantly towards employability. Economic growth, however, is only a second priority of education. Students need comprehensive development to succeed in areas beyond the purely financial, and subjects such as philosophy, the arts, ethics, music, or literature open new horizons for self-expression and fulfilment.

As monolithic populations give way to more heterogenous communities, education is even more vital to the network of relationships that supports social development. The dynamics of the new era require education to be personal in approach but collective in vision.