Positive World Changes Are Made Possible Through A Holistic Approach To IB Education
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
This statement has been endorsed time and time again, year after year by educators, parents, and students alike — to create change in the world, education has to be the driving force.
In a season that is clouded with anxiety and uncertainty about the future (2020), many questions are being asked around the world relating to making it through troubling times and charting a sustainable course for the future.
Coupled with the longstanding questions on climate change and continuity of the environment, people are clamoring to know about health during a pandemic, global leadership, and awareness and tolerance of racial differences.
This brings us to the question, what does this mean for the face of education?
Quite frankly, it means mainly one thing: a complete assessment and possible overhaul of the current objectives guiding the system.
This assessment should focus on two areas:
Methodology
Malcolm X said,
“education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
One of the most pivotal years in an individual’s life are the formative years — that period between 14–18 when they receive that high school education. This is when some of life’s major decisions are made. Students decide whether or not they want to attend college, what colleges they want to attend, and what careers they want to have.
Preparing for the future takes time, effort, and requires the right guidance. With all that is taking place in the world, the old ways of doing things will not work. The skills and experience of educators, innovation, and dedication to shaping students for the new future will definitely come into play.
How what is to be learned is taught will have a huge impact on how much is learned.
Content
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”
— Marian Wright Edelman
If we are to address education in light of Edelman’s words, we would realize that concepts such as leadership, mental and physical wellbeing, diversity and inclusivity, leadership, cultural awareness, and environmental sustainability should dominate students’ learning.
These exactly reflect the questions being asked around the world and would definitely pave the way for impactful learning that will positively change the world.
Education should be holistic and not shield students from the realities of the world, after all, it’s that very world they have to live in.
International boarding schools have been making great strides in providing a level of IB education that will enable students to become knowledgeable, culturally tolerant, and able to effect positive changes in the world.
The world needs more of these kinds of people.
