Exam season is approaching. Here are at least 8 reasons why current education systems should change and some actions to implement

If like me you are a Pink Floyd fan you will be very familiar with the words “We don’t need no education, We don’t need no thought control, No dark sarcasm in the classroom, Teachers leave them kids alone….”

Whilst I don’t agree with the sentiments in the song lyrics, I have a strong feeling that the “traditional approach” to education needs a major rethink. Educational systems of course vary from country to country. However in general a system that is primarily focussed on academic achievement and tests in exam based settings is not recognising the diverse range of skills needed in the current economic environment nor the full potential of students.

I’m lucky that I had a very good education in an environment where academic achievement was encouraged. It should be. However it’s not enough to have only academic qualifications. All students, regardless of academic ability, should have access to vocational training, and schools should have programmes that introduce pupils to practical business education and help them develop vital personal development skills. These business awareness and personal development skills are vital for a variety of reasons because:

  1. Technology will both create jobs in the sector and displace them in others

In our daily lives, the impact of technology is evident. More shopping on line is an obvious example. The implications for employment in the retailing industry are self-evident.

There are non technology sectors where there is expected to be an increase in employment such as personal care. In this sector, notwithstanding the very high human value of jobs in the personal care sector, jobs created are however typically very low income.

In a commentary on an ILO report [1]it was stated that

“The shift of employment to services and the decline in manufacturing means a significant change in the skills demanded by the labour market.

“There will be a hollowing out of jobs needing medium levels of skill for routine tasks that can be automated,” Torres[2] explained.

Individuals who once occupied these jobs will need to acquire new skills or instead face the prospect of competing for jobs at the lower end of the skill spectrum”…….

2. Governments are not financially able to provide the same levels of social welfare, funding and jobs as in the “pre credit crisis” period

As will be seen in the chart below both governments and individuals are, in general, not making progress in reducing debt levels. It is likely that most major economies will continue to focus on managing spending to reduce debt and deficits. Dependent on individual government’s policies there are various possible consequences such as increased fees for university education and less public sector employment.

Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/3215/global-debt/

3. After the huge boost to economic growth in the 1989 – 2007 period largely because of the opening up of Central and Eastern Europe, China and India we are seeing a period of lower growth. Expect it to continue.

4.Low growth leads to less jobs and /or low paid jobs

In a report, Global Employment Trends 2014, Risk of a Jobless Recovery? produced by the International Labour Organisation[3] one conclusion is that although there has been some post credit crisis macroeconomic growth “….. The report finds that those economic improvements will not be sufficient to absorb the major labour market imbalances that built up in recent years”.

In the case of Youth Unemployment [4]the Table below (preliminary estimates for 2013 / projections for 2014 – 18) shows higher levels of youth unemployment in most regions of the World than prior to the credit crisis…and this report was published before the impact of downturn in commodity markets had developed.

Some statistics show that some economies like the UK have been able to maintain low levels of unemployment inspite of low growth. However the reality is that slower economic growth has generally led to

a. continued high unemployment ( particularly for people at the start of their working life) where there are rigid labour laws or economies dependent on a narrow range of business sectors, or

b. a “low wage/ low unemployment” economy with increased levels of self employment.

5. In a low growth environment with disruptive changes in a number of core industries some “traditional” industries will undergo radical change. Lost jobs will not be easily or quickly replaced.

In the public sector, employment levels have been under pressure and this is likely to continue if economic growth is weak. An illustration of how public sector jobs have developed is shown in the graph below. There are factors to take into account in terms of organisations that became part of the public sector or were transferred to the private sector but the overall conclusion is that public sector employment is less likely than 10 years ago.

Source: UK Office for National Statistics (http://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/publicsectorpersonnel/bulletins/publicsectoremployment/december2015)

6. Low growth combined with uncertainty will discourage corporate investment

7. Globalisation has both positive and negative consequences

Globalisation has reduced prices in many sectors, but this also has an impact on employment patterns. In mature economies low skilled jobs that can be either “offshored” or replaced by technology have been and will continue to be under threat.

8.Low economic growth and interest rates  will materially impact on potential returns from investments and therefore peoples’ working lives

Interest rates are at historically low levels as shown below

Even those people with savings will find that dwindling state support and investment income may not meet their living costs. This has profound implications for peoples’ working lives and retirement plans.

What are the implications of the above factors in terms of education?

It would be easy to draw only negative conclusions from the above. Indeed the extent of the impact of the credit crisis has been more lengthy and deeper than in other “cyclical downturns”. There are many political and social challenges.

There are however many opportunities that will arise from change. As individuals and for countries, to benefit from changes needs a radical change in education.

These are only my personal views but I believe that education has to move away from a narrow focus on academic achievement to developing a more holistic and life long view of personal development which includes

  1. A greater emphasis on human development skills, and encouraging persistence rather than promoting the idea that substantial short term results can be achieved with little effort

Especially in service related businesses personal qualities and building relationships are essential.

2. Getting people to accept that “lifelong” employment with one or two organisations is an increasingly unlikely prospect

Education should include the development of personal qualities such as flexibility and adaptability.

3. Increased need to develop financial education

This is my “business area” so you would expect me to say this. However if economic growth is slow and governments and individuals have high levels of debt, there won’t be spare cash for luxuries for many people. Personal finances will therefore have to be managed more carefully and people should develop their financial awareness.

4. Accepting that education does not stop at leaving school

Continuous upgrading in skills and technology will be increasingly necessary to employment, especially in more “added value” jobs.

5. Increased need to develop vocational skills, as it is likely that there will be increases in self employment

Good luck to those that are taking exams!!

 

 

[1] ILO World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends

[2] Raymond Torres, head of the ILO Research Department

[3] http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/—publ/documents/publication/wcms_233953.pdf

[4] Source: International Labour Organisation, Global Employment Trends,2014

By |April 17th, 2016|Uncategorised|0 Comments

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