Reform Education for a New World (RENEW)
I. The Case for Education Renewal:
Over the past 20+ years, we have studied, observed and contemplated upon the vast subject of education for current and future generations. We have read in-depth reviews and research done in this area, and have keenly observed education systems in many countries. With a few exceptions, we found that people are generally dissatisfied with school systems in most countries. Only a few countries have taken steps to reform education, albeit with limited success. At the local level, there are many visionary individuals and institutions that have launched and are doing progressive work in this area, however, their tremendous efforts and results are not adequately acknowledged or appreciated. We want to join forces with like-minded individuals who are passionate about education reform in order to affect change in our communities, countries, and society at large.
There is strong evidence that humanity is on the path to self-destruction. While this may sound somewhat inflammatory, it is not far from the truth. We are bombarded with news clips and stories on a daily basis that demonstrate that negativity has become a dominant force in our lives, society, and world. Many people are driven by egos, resulting in power, greed and selfishness. The symptoms can be seen in the violence, poverty and suffering that exists throughout the human race. There is wealth imbalance that is further fueling the greed to acquire more and exploit others. This current environment and our society that is based on hostility and distrust is not sustainable.
As a result of this bifurcation in the human race, our planet is suffering a slow demise. Humans show little awareness, acknowledgement and respect for the earth’s natural resources. There is natural inclination towards being in conflict with nature and its fundamental laws. The fact of the matter is that there is no shortage of natural resources and humans are not violent by nature. However, the current social and power structure encourages a small minority of humans to exploit the large majority. The future looks rather bleak for mankind. The primary issues are systemic, societal, and habitual. Life, for the most part, has become a battlefield where everyone if fighting to either survive or to exploit. The amount of avoidable wastage and destruction is more than the resources required to remove poverty and provide for basic human needs. We must act now to begin a foundational change in our education system.
It is quite disturbing to observe this present state of humanity suffering from shortsightedness, deprivation, human trafficking, and moral and ethical degradation. Education has become limited to literacy and job skills in a fiercely competitive environment with the end goal of wealth creation; without due regard to human and ethical values focused on: individual talent, personal and social responsibility, cooperation and compassion, collaborative conflict resolution, connection with nature and environment, etc.
Simply put, today’s education is focused on enhancing textbook-based IQ with little to no focus on building EQ in our students that are based on innate and acquired learning from our nature and environment. We must place greater emphasis on character-building, self-respect, and co-existing with others with love, cooperation, compassion and preservation. More money and more technology are not substitutes for wholistic education which can produce more intelligent and visionary individuals and hence societies. We realize it is not possible to replace or reform the entire education system, but we can begin by augmenting, broadening and deepening the scope of learning in our school systems. Raising the level of awareness among students, families and teachers should be the first step.
We are in a trap of sorts, and our planet is in a death spiral but we believe we can break away from it. We have a vision of a society with the same resources that we currently possess but where needs are met and waste is minimized; a world where there is peace, compassion and respect for mankind. It is possible to foster an environment where all humans can not only survive, but also thrive.
Today, since birth, children are forced to be disconnected from nature. It is a fact that life cannot survive with animosity towards life sources of nature. Isolation from nature is a fundamental flaw and must be rectified through education. This education must begin with children. Children have a natural interest in growth, exploration and learning. They have no vested interest in the status-quo since they don’t know it. Therefore, their minds can be nurtured in the very early years to learn from and live peacefully on our beautiful planet rather than build an attitude of conquering and exploiting it.
We need to create learning that is more freethinking, visionary, and based on discovery and exploration. Again, our proposal does not call for replacement of the existing education system but merely augmenting it by increasing the level of awareness of this renewed method at existing schools. This will ultimately lead to a different and more sustainable society and world for our future generations.
This is the premise for this education renewal program – to build a new world, a new society, and a renewed planet.
II. Principles of RENEW (Reform Education for a New World):
The principles of RENEW can be categorized in 4 areas of study, as follows:
- Accentuate and Celebrate Individual Talent
Indirect learning
Creative play
Focus on excellence vs competition - Instill Human and Ethical Values
Personal and social responsibility
Civic responsibility
Health, fitness and nutrition
Respect for self and others - 3. Develop Emotional Balance
Cooperation and compassion
Character building
Communication
Teamwork
Collaborative problem solving - Enable Connection with Nature and Environment
Exploration and discovery
Awareness of cosmos and natural environment
Understanding interconnections and dependencies
III. Implementation Method:
The principles or areas of study will become modules for learning and each module will be incorporated into simple “how to” processes geared to three important stakeholders – Parents/Families, Students, and Teachers.
- PARENTS/FAMILIES: This module will focus on the home environment, indirect learning, character-building, emotional balance, connection with nature, being role models, healthy diet/nutrition, personal hygiene, life-style, working through blocked and limiting beliefs and more.
- STUDENTS: This module will focus on respect for self and others, cooperation, compassion, civic responsibilities, exploration, discovery, communication, dealing with emotions, being self-reliant, responsible and taking initiative for self-growth
- TEACHERS: This module will focus on exploration and discovery, awareness of natural environment, supportive approach, individual talent and pace of learning, excellence vs competition, exercises and assignments, organizing knowledge, grading vs assessment of strengths and weaknesses, correction vs punishment, sports and games, individual and group projects, beyond literacy, etc.The environmental factors would be integrated into all three and would include understanding cosmos, nature, earth, life forms, vegetation, reverence, interconnections and dependencies, exposure to natural laws, fundamental sciences, documentary films, activities by parents and teachers, etc.
We have a team of enthusiastic people who share our vision and are well trained to assist us in creating this project.
We have created a detailed plan for each of the modules to elaborate upon the brief outline provided above. We will prepare booklets that will focus on the key concepts of RENEW, including its values and a practical “how to” guide for parents/families, students, and teachers. These booklets can also be translated into other languages to facilitate access and acceptability.
We have a team of enthusiastic people who share our vision and are well trained to assist us in creating this project.
We believe that “reform education for a new world” (RENEW) is the most important thing to do in this life. We look up to you for guidance in moving this concept into action.
DHANANJAYA KUMAR: Retired World Bank senior economist, Yogacharya, writer, poet, cultural activist
NEHA PATEL: Consultant Psychologist, Emotional Well being Coach, Arts Based Therapist, Trainer and Facilitator
USHA CHAUDHARY: Chartered accountant, executive experience in finance, media, charitable organization
