Manju Balasubramanyam, Principal, DPS Bangalore North
We are living in the most unprecedented times ever – a world that has seen a climate change every day, a world where disparity between the haves and have-nots is steadily increasing and a world where conflict and war is accelerating the loss of lives of young people. The children from this world will be young adults in 2040. How do we prepare them to navigate this VUCA world with confidence so that they thrive, move forward with optimism in the phase of adversity. How do we equip them with knowledge, skills and attitude that will not only help them care for their individual wellbeing but also care for the wellbeing of their families and friends, their neighborhoods, their communities.
Societies today are changing rapidly with greater globalization and migration. The world is in many ways shrinking. There is also an explosion of knowledge in the field of science and technology, environment and economy. There is also a greater understanding that the world of tomorrow will require collaborators critical thinkers, problem solvers and good communicators who will understand diverse perspectives and work towards inclusive growth.
The young people of the future will need to be responsible for their own learning and also have their ability to influence other people events and circumstances. To achieve this, they will have to develop a mindset of a lifelong learning and educational institutions will have to provide opportunities for personalised learning. The early childhood years and primary school years should lay a very strong foundation on literacy, numeracy, digital learning and socio emotional learning. We need to build competency that will help meet the complex demands of tomorrow. They will have to apply learnings from their local context in a global scenario. They will need to know about a vide range of topics and also dive deep into areas of specialisation. In a world that is advancing at a frightening pace both in biotechnology and AI these young people will need to have a good understanding of ethical implications of their actions.
Educational institutions should offer opportunities which will nurture their curiosity, spirit of inquiry and innovation and shape them to be open minded, flexible, creative and empathetic.
Schools should encourage interdisciplinary learning, a love for the fine arts, the understanding of sustainability and a curriculum that celebrates diversity and inclusion. It should shape their appreciation for the creation of an equitable world where every member of the community has a strong sense of belongingness. School should promote student led clubs on culture and heritage, environment and sustainability, design thinking and innovation, STEAM, animal welfare clubs bird watching and wildlife clubs which will enable them in the future to be leaders in societies. School eco systems should help build social, physical and mental resilience. Students must be empowered to discern between right and wrong, make informed choices that will benefit mankind as a whole. They should be abled to be the voice of the minority and the vulnerable.
All this is going to be possible if all stake holders in the education system are empowered, motivated and inspired by a curriculum that helps develop their knowledge, skill, attitude and values. Curriculum should be flexible, adaptable and dynamic and should engage all stakeholders. I believe that the NEP 2020 offers this opportunity for all learners in India.
