Although we have always acknowledged the value of children and their comprehensive upbringing, it is undeniable that our education system has been severely lacking.
In particular, there has been a pressing need for the school curriculum to be improved, which remained grievously outdated for far too long.
Which is why it is extremely promising that the new curriculum has begun its pilot program in 62 educational institutions across the country, which shifts the focus from exam-centric learning to a more creative approach.
This is a welcome change, albeit a belated one. The archaic school curriculum that had been in place till recently did nothing to enlighten our children in the holistic manner that they require, and in fact was detrimental to their growth.
Promoting an education system where memorization is encouraged severely hampers the quality of education that students receive. In addition to that, children most likely develop an unhealthy approach to learning, which prevents them from gaining a real education that would benefit them long-term.
Children are also proven to be more eager to learn and better able to retain the knowledge through creative approaches in lessons.
In order to allow our youth to flourish, it is vital that they are provided with the best tools, to develop vital life skills like critical thinking and enhance their creativity.
While exam scores can be a useful tool to evaluate progress, depending solely on rote learning denies children the opportunity to become fully developed, well-rounded individuals -- and that cannot continue to be the norm.
With the new curriculum in place, there is hope that tha face of school education will transform into one that fits our ambitions as a nation, and that the children of our nation will be granted the kind of care they need.