‘Age-old education system doesn’t work for today’s generation’

Based on recent surveys, we believe that 50 years from now, robots and computers will do much of the work humans perform.

Many schools in the UAE look and function the same way as schools did a century or more ago. Desks are lined in neat rows, teach- ers deliver one standard lecture, and every student is expected to perform at the exact same level — learning at the same pace and in the same way as their peers.

The traditional education system doesn’t serve the needs of the current generation, much less the demands of the next. Study after study shows that to compete in the workforce of the future, today’s children will need to collaborate to solve problems and use creative approaches and analyses. They’ll also need to continually develop new skills by engaging in self-directed learning.

But are we educating our kids to succeed in these new jobs? The education system is undergoing a disruptive shift. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has launched the Rahhal project as its contribution towards the Dubai 10X initiative.

The first initiative to be launched under the Dubai 10X project, Rahhal is a flexible and accessible education model providing knowledge, skills, and experience to the community at any age.

The Indian High School, Dubai, has already transitioned to a personalised learning model, working to provide the education each student needs when she or he needs it. Unfamiliar with the concept? Personalised learning is defined as “tailoring learning for each student’s strength, needs, and interests — including enabling student voice and choice in what, how, when, and where they learn — to provide flexibility and ensure mastery at the highest standards possible.”

Tanisha Crasto, a Grade 10 student at The Indian High School, was one of the first enrollees of the Rahhal project. With the burden of studies and her passion for the sport she loved, Tanisha found it very difficult to manage both.

Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”

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The Indian High School recognised the immense talent Tanisha had in the sport she played and gave her the support to master it. With the school supporting her, Tanisha went all out and achieved her dreams. She got selected to play for Team India in the Asia Junior Championship, which was held in Myanmar. She was also selected to play for the same national team in the BWF World Junior Championship to be held in Canada this month.

One of my favourite quotes, often attributed to Albert Einstein, is: “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”

So, I guess, the traditional subjects and the traditional way of learning have to change to ensure the success of the next generation.