10 PRIORITIES OF MODERN SCHOOLS GOING FORWARD IN THE 21ST-CENTURY

The world is changing now more rapidly than ever before. Within just a decade, there is a complete transformation of how people live, work, earn and survive. This naturally poses a challenge for schools that have to train students for nearly 14 years and place them at an era that we have no idea about now. All the schools can do is to predict. Look at the current trends and prioritise skills and education that are bound to help the children in their future. Here is a list of 10 priorities that the top school in Sonepatis placing on its agenda now. Going forward in the 21^st-century, these are bound to become necessary for both survival and success.

1. Subject knowledge

No longer can students just pass with high grades and no understanding of the subjects? Marks are gradually losing their prominence and subject knowledge is becoming the demanding aspect. Schools, thus, need to focus on engagement and retention more than results and advancement. Without knowledge depth, students will struggle later.

1. Extra-curricular activities

Pursuing extra-curricular activities is more important now as the world is slowly acknowledging its potential to teach soft skills. Education now encompasses involvement in sports, music, drama and dance as these are considered as performance boosters rather than result inhibitors. Each student must pursue at least two activities aside from academics.

1. STEAM

STEM subjects shot to fame in the early 2000s when technology took over almost all industries. Schools shifted to teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Although STEM is still a trend, the best boarding school in India now identify the importance of Arts among Science. Going forward, STEAM has to replace STEM.

1. Future technology

If the idea is to get students ready for the future, then teaching present technology only will not complete the job. Along with computer programming, students must gain exposure to robotics, 3D printing, data science, cloud computing and other such areas that are slowly taking hold. The foundation of future technology must be built in schools.

1. Soft skills

Proficiency in mathematics or literature is known as hard skills. Critical thinking, leadership and problem-solving are placed under soft skills. At a time when recruiting companies are stressing the need for emotional intelligence, schools of the 21^st-century have to prioritize soft skills. Workshops and events are great ways to build these. As stated, even extra-curricular activities help.

1. Foreign language

Globalization is not a new concept. Right now, it has evolved into a structure where people of different countries are working together and companies are expanding rapidly to become multinationals. Knowing a foreign language is already seen as a perk. Obviously, the future will make it a necessary skill where every student must speak at least one foreign language.

1. International curriculum

Preparing a student for a global world cannot happen with a local curriculum. Hence the best boarding school in India includes a global program along with the domestic syllabus where students get the opportunity to reap the benefits of both worlds. The international curriculum needs more penetration. Or else, students will feel lost in a connected world.

1. Environmental awareness

The alarm bells on climate change are already tolling. And the current batch of students will be more affected than any other previous generation. Environmental awareness is thus an obvious priority. Equipped with the knowledge and understanding of how to protect the environment, students can act to apply their skills to sustainable development.

1. Entrepreneurial approach

Teaching students to have an entrepreneurial mindset will make them go-getters. They will be action-oriented and have a unique approach to problems. This is a skill of the future. Companies are no longer looking for employees but want to hire entrepreneurs. If the training starts at school, the approach will become a habit and such students will be invincible in life.

1. Self-learning

In just two to three years from now, students will not be able to afford to stop learning right after college. Down the lane, learning will become a continuous process. Modern schools must teach students to be self-lea ers first and then instruction-followers as the skill to research and explore has already become highly valued.