The modern school system has been antiquated since the 17th century. Sure, there are exceptions, but for the most part, schools serve to indoctrinate rather than educate. Indoctrinate children with information that doesn't serve who they truly are. True education should seek to bring out the gifts and talents of a child. For school to be meaningful, the curriculum should begin fostering learning around what children love most in the early grades. Academic excellence does not equal excellence in the real world.
Our educational system has not changed for centuries yet the world and the workplace has changed enormously. In my book, Disrupt yourself Or Be Disrupted, I mentioned that “Students spend many years in an obsolete system studying subjects they may never use and preparing for a world which no longer exists.”
And so, in my opinion here are 15 uncomfortable facts about school👇
- They teach conformity over individuality.
- Schools are a means of mass control and mass production.
- The concept of nurturing a child’s natural abilities is threatened with extinction under the current school system.
- There isn’t much on offer with the school system for a curious mind or someone who yearns for something different. The school system offers a one-size-fits-all academic curriculum that doesn’t work for everybody
- School rewards people for their caution and ability to memorise things but life rewards people for their imagination, creativity and daring.
- The school system encourages competition. The systems say to focus on yourself, achieve the best, get distinctions, shine by yourself, rise to the top of the class by yourself, etc BUT the real-world demands collaboration/team work.
- Schools are more about passing tests/exams and less about learning.
- They discourage passions and interests. Most of the curriculum is not needed and is forced.
- Schools drill in toxic mindsets, such as blind obedience.
- The school system doesn’t teach about money (financial literacy).
- In a highly technological world littered with AI, Robotic, blockchain, etc a world where machines are employable, yet the school system doesn’t yet prioritize skills like creative thinking, participative learning, innovation, emotional intelligence, etc.
- Schools don't teach things that a high school graduate actually needs to know - balancing a personal budget, banking, how to get a job, how to create a company, nutrition and wellness, life planning/goal setting, communication/relationship skills (personal and business), etc. etc.
- Entrepreneurship should be taken more seriously in schools, something practical to educate learners on how to handle pressure but its not.
- One of the biggest issues with the school system is that students are not allowed to be wrong. This translates into the workforce with employees being afraid to try new things, ask for help and learn how to grow.
- The final thought is a quote from my book, Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted which states that “The real tragedy of the school system is that academic excellence is the only target. From childhood, we are programmed to believe that by scoring higher marks we’ll have a brighter future and be more likely to succeed in life.”
#DisruptYourselfOrBeDisrupted
Nicky Verd is
a Digital Strategy Consultant, Keynote Speaker
and a leading thinker on driving innovation and digital transformation
through personal disruption. She is a voice for those who yearn to
upskill, reinvent and recreate themselves.
She is also a Brand Ambassador for Southern Africa Startup Awards and a Huffington Post Contributor.
Visit her Website for more info about her work and services
Follow her on Social Media:
She is also a Brand Ambassador for Southern Africa Startup Awards and a Huffington Post Contributor.
Visit her Website for more info about her work and services
Follow her on Social Media:
"You owe yourself everything you expect from others"
