Re-examining independent thinking skills in schools

Study International | July 11, 2019

The theory of Pi. The Battle of Waterloo. The brotherhood between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. Primary and secondary school students are taught many things during their educational years in the UK, but there’s one integral factor that could be missing. Labelled “fundamental” by the UK Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, independent thinking skills are a must, but they’re often overlooked.“A good education is more than about the academics” and schools should also be a “preparation for life”, Hinds explains. By instilling a true sense of independence in pupils, they end up much more prepared for life after school. In support of launching workshops to teach teenagers life skills, such as managing money, dealing with conflict and sharing a house, Hinds believes students will start to feel confident in answering questions such as “What issues may occur living with a stranger?” or “What is the price of a litre of milk?” Rather than being left to fend for themselves, the UK Education Secretary deems it necessary to equip the young minds of today with valuable advice and a lifelong appreciation of independent thinking.

Spotlight

Grade 4 students examine energy by using models of electrical systems to analyze patterns that demonstrate that energy moves and changes. And in a middle school science class, students make a model to simulate an earthquake, gather data on its effects on land and human-built structures, and then analyze the data to inform the design of earthquake-resistant buildings.

Spotlight

Grade 4 students examine energy by using models of electrical systems to analyze patterns that demonstrate that energy moves and changes. And in a middle school science class, students make a model to simulate an earthquake, gather data on its effects on land and human-built structures, and then analyze the data to inform the design of earthquake-resistant buildings.

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