The Future of Education and the Education of Future

Education has been a cornerstone of society since ancient times. It is education that created an order for ancient society and civilizations made progress. Societies and civilizations like the Romans and the Greeks that gave priority to education progressed and others were left behind. With the progress of time, radical changes have drastically changed the way education is imparted. It left monasteries and tols and entered concrete buildings. Some changes were welcome while some others have left us in doubt. The effect of the changes is not the topic of discussion but we must ponder over changes that have taken place in education in the last ten years and what the future system will look like.

Education, at present is no longer confined to acquiring knowledge

and information contained in books as they can be accessed on Google at the tap of a button. The Internet has democratized it so much so that even a six-year old has now become a global citizen. Consequently, our role as teachers must also change. We need to adapt to the changes brought about by the use of technology. While many of us were slowly adapting, the pandemic accelerated the process and overnight, we have incorporated it in our system. Some schools have been successful in the new methods which have proved to be very effective.

In this backdrop, two important questions stare at us now— (1) “What is the future of education?” and (2) “How will be education in the future?”

I believe that technology will be put into maximum use if we go by what has happened during the pandemic. Now even five-year olds use gadgets to access sessions, interact with teachers online and submit homework at the tap of a button.

I think this change is just the beginning. Gone are the days when education consisted of copying notes written on the board by the teacher and memorizing them. Now both the teacher and the student have to change. Now learning means exploring a topic from multiple perspectives through reflection, research, study, experimentation and finally reporting. The teacher’s role is merely that of a facilitator who guides the student through all these steps to learning and self-reliance.

To guide a student successfully through a holistic progress like this, teachers must improve professionally.

Another major change I see coming is the choices learners will have in future. Not only will they decide which subject to study, but they will also be able to choose their teachers. Going forward, I think maybe our child will study with a teacher in Greenland or a teacher in America. Thus, the child will be able to choose the subject as well as the teacher. This is a little hard to accept today but it is quite probable. In future children can take courses that equip them for many different occupations. At present, one can change a maximum of two to three or even five businesses in a lifetime but ten years from today one has to equip oneself for many different businesses. Individuals who can quickly set themselves up for changes like this will better be able to achieve success and the role of education in preparing such a person will be extremely important. Education will have to be holistic as well as business oriented.

Now, if we talk about another issue, what will be the future of education? It is undeniable that education in any nation is a process that will last forever. Educational institutions will act as a knowledge center. Institutions will impart education to the child on the subject or skill to be learnt. There will be institutions that follow an independent education system for each child. The rigid and structured system we have in place today will be replaced by a flexible system. That is what I believe.

It will not be a surprise to see institutions and teachers who are not equipped for this kind of change will become irrelevant. The sooner we bring in the changes, the better it will be for us. Especially, school teachers must take a multi-disciplinary approach to survive the

coming changes. Knowledge of all branches is indispensable in them. To survive in this business, teachers have to start preparing for the future from today.

As far as parents are concerned, they too must help their children make the transition. They must tell their children that the practice of mechanically running at a thoughtless pace to get a degree will not lead to a successful and fulfilling career. Intensive efforts and concrete planning must start now.

The Gajera Trust has been preparing for the last five-six years to meet future challenges in all its schools. For the coming years, the trust has charted out concrete plans to bring the best in our youth. Hopefully together we will build a capable generation.

Shri Chunnibhai H Gajera,
Managing Trustee, Gajera Trust

“No to plastic”

The Future of Education and the Education of Future