Education for Change
Education for a Changing World
October 25, 2024
In a world marked by constant and rapid transformation, change has become the one thing we can count on. Here in South Africa, political dynamics shift with bewildering frequency, and across the globe, we see governments wrestling with issues of identity, unity, and global responsibility. Economic uncertainties, environmental crises, and complex social challenges highlight the urgency of preparing children to navigate—and ideally, improve—this unpredictable world.
Preparing the Next Generation for a World in Flux
For most parents, providing a meaningful education is a top priority. Families across all socioeconomic backgrounds make significant sacrifices to ensure their children have opportunities for a stable, rewarding future. Education is, at the very least, a means to equip them with skills for physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and financial survival. Beyond that, it holds the promise of a life enriched by purpose, fulfillment, and the ability to contribute to a thriving global community.
People everywhere want the same essential things for future generations: a world where our planet’s resources are preserved, human potential is fully realized, and quality of life is accessible to all. We dream of our children finding joy in family, success in their careers, satisfaction in their communities, and peace in the world they inherit.
From Self-Interest to Collective Flourishing
Yet achieving this quality of life remains a challenge, primarily because people often focus on securing it for themselves and their immediate circles. Politicians tend to prioritize national interests, and individuals pursue personal gains, sometimes to the detriment of others. This self-interest, while natural, often fuels the global turmoil we see today. Ironically, at the heart of most religious and cultural teachings is a simple principle:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
This ethos highlights the kind of education we need to foster in our children—one rooted in empathy, respect, and a sense of shared responsibility. What good is academic or career success if it’s achieved at the expense of others or our planet?
Education as a Catalyst for Positive Change
We need to raise a generation capable of creative problem-solving, resilient in the face of change, and committed to making the world a better place. Educators must inspire children to think beyond national borders, ethnic identities, and socioeconomic lines. The ultimate goal? To prepare young people not only to adapt to change but to drive positive change—sustaining the planet, upholding justice, and advancing unity.
What the world needs now are young people who aspire to heal and preserve our planet for future generations where all its creatures can flourish. This is the purpose of education in 2024: to equip our children with the knowledge, values, and skills to do just that.
About the Author
Helen Morgan, owner and principal of Cornerstone Children’s Centre in Somerset West, South Africa, holds a Bachelor of Primary Education from the University of Cape Town (1986) and a Diploma in Montessori Education (6–12 age group) from the Maria Montessori Institute in London (2009), and completed a Master’s in Montessori Education (3–6 age group) at the Montessori Institute of San Diego and Loyola University Maryland.
Cornerstone Children’s Centre is an independent pre-school for children from 14 months to 6 years, and a homeschool support centre for primary school learners from age 6 to 9 years in Somerset West, guiding children through their early childhood education and foundation phase years, using advanced learning equipment, the Montessori way.
Learning The Ordinary Magic That Constitutes A Life
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