There is a growing feeling today that something is wrong with our system of education.
But what is it? Well, we send our children to school to prepare them for the real world which is changing very, very fast. But our schools haven't changed much for hundreds of years.
In fact, thought leaders from around the world agree that the current system of education was designed in the Industrial Age, mainly to churn out factory workers. And this Industrial Age mentality of mass production and mass control still runs deep in schools.
Industrial Age values
We educate children by batches, and govern their lives by ringing bells. All day long, students do nothing but follow instructions. Sit down, take out your books, turn to page 40, solve problem number three, stop talking. At school, you're rewarded for doing exactly what you're told.
These are Industrial Age values that were really important for factory workers. Their success depended on following instructions and doing exactly what they were told.
But in today's world, how far can you get by simply following instructions? The modern world values people who can be creative, who can communicate their ideas, and collaborate with others. But our children don't get a chance to develop such skills in a system that's based on Industrial Age values.
Lack of autonomy and control
At school, our children experience a complete lack of autonomy and control. Every minute of a child's life is tightly controlled by the system.
But in today's world, if you're doing important work, then you're managing your own time. You're making your own decisions regarding what to do and when to do it.
