Education in a post Covid World: 9 Ideas for Public Action – International Commission on the Futures of Education
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted not only some of the world’s vulnerabilities and challenges, but it also brought out some of the world’s strengths in humanity.
Covid-19 showed an accentuation of inequality and how unprepared we were for distant learning. This was clear in communities living in poverty who could not have access to online learning. We saw how resourceful, dedicated and creative teachers, parents and students became working collaboratively to create remarkable learning experiences.
We saw how resourceful, dedicated, and creative teachers, parents and students became working collaboratively to create remarkable learning experiences. Another noticeable highlight was how parents and the community appreciated teachers more. The public realized the multiple role schools played in looking after student wellbeing, health and nutrition while also supporting their learning. We need to recognise digital technology is a tool that enables communication, collaboration remotely, but priority needs to be given to human interaction and well-being. COVID-19 has reminded society just how important education is in societies, communities and in individuals' lives. Education is a defence against inequality, and it is vital for students to thrive in society with a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose.
In the future, education will need to be an important part of creating a better world. COVID-19 emphasized that learning is a shared responsibility that we all play a part in. Throughout this article, it explored the 9 ideas to concrete education future of learning and how technology can support learners in the future.
Recognising that the pandemic will affect different countries in different ways the article did not consider some of the anxiety that was created amongst students both during and after the pandemic. This was evident at the school I work in. Senior management surveyed parents to see if students had mentioned any fears of returning to school. 20% of families had said their child seemed anxious to return and feared the future of humanity.
Although the nine ideas presented are relevant for the future and need to be focused on, the article also explored the previous decade's work that has been done on social issues such as peace and conflict, human rights, and stigma. Whilst technology is developing day by day as a tool to help people communicate, increase involvement in development and improve efficiency of health services, it is equally important to consider socio-political factors in influencing our social behaviour. This is an area that needs more research in the future.
There is a need to slow down any rapid change in our education system, particularly for our Maori community, well-being, connected and strong relationships are the pillars of their cultural identity. Our focus immediately needs to be on the students, ensuring they are connected and actively involved in their learning.
SHAPING A STRONGER EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH NEW ZEALAND
Whakamaua te pae tata kia tina – take hold of your potential so it becomes your reality.
There is a growing consensus that developing a unifying vision, or as it is sometimes called, a preferred future for education that everyone can work towards, is an important next step in creating our future system. A shared purpose promotes synergies and collaborative innovation to propel us towards achieving it.
A shared vision of our preferred future enables all of us to identify the fundamental things that we count as ‘success’: they are the things that define our preferred future. This gives us a direction to travel to bring it about. We can measure whether we are getting closer to it, and how quickly, by identifying landmarks along the way. These are our strategic goals for the next ten years.
The document presents a system-level vision, supported by system level objectives and priorities that clearly link to it.
The five strategic objectives - putting learners and their families at the centre of education, better access to education, quality teaching and leadership, future-focused learning priorities and forming a sustainable education system.
The vision proposed in Shaping a Stronger Education System with New Zealanders is aspirational, universal and reflects both Te Ao Māori and Pākeha heritage. This vision statement has the potential to guide and direct all aspects of New Zealand’s education system.
The system vision, objectives and priorities outlined provide a good starting point for building a system focus on students’ experience and outcomes.
The vision is collaborative, involving all stakeholders. We must achieve this by deciding what matters, then developing the common language and shared understanding of what these are and how we can measure them.