Our Role in Shaping the Future of Education

Education in a rapidly evolving world

The undeniable truth is that the world is undergoing a transformation fuelled by artificial intelligence (AI). This rapidly evolving landscape is brimming with numerous cutting-edge innovations in the field of AI, propelling us forward at a speed that challenges our ability to stay abreast of the latest developments.

Nowhere is this challenge more apparent than within the education sector, where according to studies outlined by Tony Wagner, work readiness surveys indicate that fewer than 25% of graduates from educational institutions are prepared for the world of work. He further outlined that ‘our curricula, teaching methods, and the tests (…) were created in a different century for the needs of another era. They are hopelessly outdated.’

This challenge is further exacerbated by the fact that according to a report authorised by the Institute for the Future (IFTF), 85% of the jobs expected to exist in 2030 are yet to be created. This prediction is not new. As far back as 2016, researchers at Oxford University foresaw that 47% of jobs existing at that time would vanish within the next 25 years.

In other words, the data seems to suggest that students are increasingly being taught and trained for a world that is rapidly becoming obsolete.

How do we tackle this problem?

To address this challenge, we at the Powerbase Institute launched the Young Genius Programme (YGP). We believe that every child is a genius, and our job as educators is to develop the genius within every child. This is underpinned by the data presented by George Land and Beth Jarman in their work “Breakpoint and Beyond,” which alludes to the fact that at the age of 5, 98% of children are creative geniuses. Five years later, this proportion drops to 30% and another five years later, it drops to 12%.

This staggering drop in creativity suggests that non-creative behaviour is learned through school, and it appears that the longer children are in school, the less curious and creative they become. It is for this reason that we aim to make learning dynamic and exciting, to make it more rewarding than a routine.

Our focus has been to instil a growth mindset in our students, enabling them to think and not just memorise information. This way, our students are equipped to reason and think critically, analyse evidence, solve problems, work in teams, and communicate effectively; core skills essential for surviving and thriving in the 21st century. In addition, hundreds of young geniuses enrolled on the YGP have been offered a plethora of practical opportunities in software engineering, digital marketing, cyber security, financial literacy, understanding of cryptocurrency and more.

We have been at the frontline, by attempting to chart a new course in education, and it is for this reason that we are keen to partner with other forward-thinking individuals and institutions to ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of education and technology, as we continue to innovate and add value to the next generation. If you are willing to support us in this cause, please email us at volunteering@thepowerbaseinstitute.com.

For more information about our programmes and initiatives, please visit our website at www.thepowerbaseinstitute.org.

Author: Damy Balogun, Founder.

Contributor: Daniela Oliveira, Correspondent (Finance & Governance).