What do you believe to be the biggest challenge faced by educators currently?
There exists plenty of evidence that education reform in various countries struggles to achieve its desired impact, due to grandiose (but desirable) policies which exceedingly lack in effective implementation. A key reason for this, as research has demonstrated, is the disconnect between the layers of responsibility down which a blueprint has to cascade. As a result, there is little to no sustainability – and this is before taking into account external factors such as changes in government. Consequently, educational leadership at each level, both individually and collectively, is vital towards empowerment at the grassroots to establish effective bottom-up transformation.
What is the most interesting – or effective, or unique – approach or solution to education you’ve encountered recently?
In the current age where educational innovation tends to mean being at the forefront of latest technologies – AI, blockchain and AR/VR to name a few – there is a distinct neglect of “going back to basics”. Reimagining presence-based pedagogies, and embedding edtech in an effective manner, remain a huge gap in traditional learning environments. I am reminded of Jara, a Regional Award Winner at Reimagine Education last year, which provides emergency education to displaced and refugee children. This is done through a low-cost device running on solar and crank power, without requiring pre-existing infrastructure.
What currently characterizes education in your sector, at your institution, or in your nation or region?
Many stakeholders within the educational ecosystem are in need of a mindset change – from working in silos to a more collaborative mentality. (After all, it is only right that we practice what we preach to our learners!) Education institutions, employers and local communities should offer opportunities for learning which are more holistic, to nurture future-proof learners. Parents should be equipped to play a more active role in their children’s learning. Leaders – in schools, government agencies, etc. – should also be ‘leaders of learning’, while educators can be further upskilled and empowered with motivation.”
