Daniel Shin
Education must reform to adapt to changing needs. Our society is constantly evolving, but education does not seem to keep pace with rapid advancement of technology and changes in society. There are massive shifts in the job market. Changing societal needs must adequately prepare students for the future of work.
Education reform must address disparities in access to quality education, though. That will ensure equity and inclusion so that all students have equal opportunities to succeed and thrive regardless of their background or socio-economic status.
Education reform shall encourage innovative teaching methods, creative curriculum design and impactful educational technologies to engage students more effectively. Education should foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Traditional pedagogy often focuses on rote memorization of knowledge, standardized test scores and competition among students. Education reform shall prioritize problem-finding, self-directed learning and collaboration among learners. It will help learners to be better equipped with critical thinking, creativity, communication and other essential skills for success in the modern world.
In a "glocalized" world, education reform should promote global awareness, cultural competency and language proficiency to prepare students to thrive in diverse and interconnected environments. Diverse environments are more creative. Diversity drives the enhancement of education and research. Educational institutions should set their academic standards higher to embark on excellence. But they should embrace more diversity so that students can learn from each other.
Education reform should emphasize lifelong learning opportunities, encouraging individuals to stay in touch with their alma mater. Learners should continuously update their skills and knowledge throughout their lives to adapt to changing landscapes, socio-economic challenges and cultural quotients.
The first university in the academic sense formed in Bologna in the 11th century according to the Oxford University reference, where students from various regions (called nationes back in those days) banded together to form a larger association, i.e. the universitas, a word derived from the combination of unum (oneness) and verto (sense of direction) which collectively means a community moving toward one goal.
Achieving education reform requires a multifaceted approach involving various stakeholders and strategies. Adequate funding is essential to support education reform efforts, including updating infrastructure, providing resources for teachers and students and investing in technology and educational materials.
Engaging parents, students, community leaders and other stakeholders in the education reform process fosters collaboration and ensures that reforms are tailored to meet the needs of local communities. Government policymakers need to enact legislation that not only regulates but also supports education reform initiatives.
Teachers play a pivotal role in education reform. Providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities can equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to implement new teaching methods and adapt to changing educational trends. Though, teachers must be respected first. We should be well aware of how important roles that teachers play and how much emotional labor that they must carry on to nurture one soul at a time.
Integrating technology into education can enhance learning experiences, promote personalized learning and prepare students for the digital age. Education reform should include initiatives to provide access to technology and promote digital literacy. Technologies are important necessities, but they are best when they are paired with a clear purpose. Otherwise, students would learn technologies for the sake of learning.
Continuous research and evaluation of education reform initiatives are essential to identify what works, what doesn't work and how to improve policy. Data-driven decision-making can guide future reforms and ensure accountability. Though, personal level attention must be given to what students really need as well as what teachers and parents want.
Collaboration with employers and industry leaders can help align education with workforce needs. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we can work towards achieving meaningful education reform that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities in their future.
I am also fascinated to hear about a generous donor like Ruth Gottesman, a longtime professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who has pledged $1 billion to a Bronx-based medical school, making tuition-free education possible to all students going forward.
Education reform is crucial for creating an inclusive, dynamic and future-ready society. It will equip individuals with the skills, knowledge and purpose they need to succeed in any circumstances. Hence, we all need to work on it together.
Daniel Shin is a venture capitalist and senior luxury fashion executive, overseeing corporate development at MCM, a German luxury brand. He also teaches at Korea University.