Can humanity afford a lost generation right now?

On top of the huge challenge of remote learning, another thing is exploding in our faces - the inability of the current education systems to change and make themselves relevant. What’s next?

Yesterday I witnessed a protest held by middle school and high school students in Tel Aviv. They were talking about the socio-emotional price they’re paying for lack of leadership, innovation and execution capabilities in the educational system, that is calling the shots concerning their present and future.

It was heartbreaking to hear their testimonies, frustrating to watch the evening news and hear there is no solution at hand, and that this young generation is already perceived as a lost generation. Nobody listened to what the protesters were saying. It was not only about zoom lessons and lack of remote learning tools, it wasn’t even about adopting relevant curriculums and acquiring 21st century skills. It was about creating a new holistic, dynamic, glocal learning ecosystem that put our youth’s future before anything else.

Real change is mission impossible for current education stakeholders

The other day, I had a zoom chat with the founder and CEO of one of the largest charter schools in the US. He estimated that adopting the current educational systems to required changes, due to pandemics and other 21st century challenges, can take up to 10 years. Based on his experience, the system is bounded by so many complexities, policies and regulations that any change becomes close to an impossible mission.

Think about it, he said, “aligning core studies, final exams, college requirements, current and future curriculums, teacher training, unions, school boards, student councils and all of the other relevant organisations together and taking them on a journey of discovery…. This can be one hell of a challenge”. My question is - is this the right challenge? Why are we fighting to keep anachronistic processes alive when it’s clear that prolonging their lives comes on behalf of our children’s wellbeing?

Stay calm and keep preparing - pandemics are here to stay

You might argue that schools will have greater value once we’re back to normal, that digital education, forced upon the system overnight, has taken a toll and exposed a gap that will be closed soon. But will it really? The answer divides into two: (1) Pandemics are here to stay, and (2) the gap is way too big to be closed.

Dr. David Passig anticipates it would take 5 years for this pandemic to disappear from our lives. David Passig, an Israeli futurist specializing in the technological future of our social and educational systems, urges the public to acknowledge that this is not the last pandemic we’ll experience in the next 6-8 years. In his interview on Israeli TV, Dr. Passig stated that we are going to see at least 6 more outbreaks throughout the next few years and repeated the urgent need to prepare.

As the transformation of education begins, it’s time for us to weigh in. ReShuffle, my new startup, is born to change learning. Offering a holistic approach to students’ development, and using a hybrid (blended) platform to promote this much anticipated change - we hope to be part of a new movement, where eyes are wide open to accept new approaches and learning experiences, combining skills and knowledge acquisition alongside socio-emotional care and support.

Always ahead of his time. David Bowie. 1972. 5 YEARS. “What a surprise”....

Follow @ReShuffle.Education here and on IG, and stay tuned for more tough questions.