Let’s Start With What is “A Better World?”

William Glasser describes a quality world very well. He considers it to be like a “personal picture album” of all the people, things, ideas, and ideals that we have discovered that increase the quality of our lives. A quality world is unique to each person and is essentially a mental image or vision (pictures) of all that is most important to us. When we think of a better world we are reaching into our own mind and projecting our personal view of a quality world. For those of us who are motivated to achieve it we translate that into a mission.

The world is complex and diverse. That quality world picture is different for all of us. It is different for unique cultures, demographics, families, contexts but in the eyes of an educator, the quality world is universal. Creating a better world means developing children who are academically smart, informed citizens, critical thinkers, and they are well equipped students who can have impact. They are the ones who will create a better world and it will manifest differently, but be driven by the same key factors.

To educators, a better world is one led by our next generation of skilled, informed citizens, equipped with critical thinking skills and a wealth of knowledge, motivation and dreams.

How Do Academically Intelligent Children Make A Better World?

Academically intelligent children excel in classes. They do well in exams, and they can prove their understanding of all theories and knowledge on relevant topics. They learn, then they prove they know key information. This is very important because there is a base level of knowledge that is essential in order that they can have impact in the natural world. It is like the ingredients or the necessary tools. We know that children must learn key information and schools have always focussed on this. But there is more. Every child is exposed to this and arguably, if time was limitless, all can learn these facts. Truth be told, in modern days we know where to find this information if we need it. Technology allows us limitless access to this information. But how do we use these facts to make a difference?

Critical Thinking Skills Make A Better World

The skills of critical thinking are used to help children learn and apply traditional academic skills within classrooms but they are also worth understanding independently. Critical thinking is a mode of thinking. Seperate to any specific subject, content, or problem, it encourages the student to improve the quality of his or her thinking skills by analysing, assessing, and reconstructing the thinking and knowledge processes. Students who are good critical thinkers understand what steps will lead them to deeper understanding and new solutions. They take ownership of reaching deeper levels of thinking. They complete research and take the steps required to find solutions.

In the context of achieving a better world we could say that leaders and change makers don’t come together with answers but they come together with many questions. They bring a team of people with the important knowledge and resources then apply critical thinking skills to analyse and resolve problems. The world needs this skill set more than it needs knowledge and answers independently. Knowledge already exists, in books, the internet and in many forms. Critical thinking shapes knowledge into solutions. We need children to be curious and creative. They need to use their base knowledge to find new knowledge.

Active And Informed Citizens Make A Better World

We can only have positive impact when we know what the current status of the world and our community is. Although we may think that it is easier today to be well informed with so much accessible information, it can in fact be much more difficult. We must discriminate between what is actually truth or objective, and what has been communicated or filtered in a biased or different way. We need citizens to be well informed and active, rather than passive and they need to have the skills to determine objective truth.

Education helps individuals become well informed and make good decisions. It increases their chances of succeeding in life and it is important for building communities. These skills help people grow as productive members of society, delivering reduced crime rates, greater positive impact and greater harmony.

High Quality Education And Its Impact

“High quality education cuts people in and it cuts people out.”

Greg Parry, CEO

A well skilled and educated citizen has greater opportunities than those who do not have it. When young people are well educated they contribute positively to their communities by working hard, being creative, and making good decisions. Investing in quality education ensures that future generations will have access to jobs with higher wages so that they can afford better lives for themselves and their families. The flow on effect is obvious. We are investing in future generations.

Proof That It Works

Education can improve lives in so many ways. It can lead to better health, empowerment and employment. It can help to build a more peaceful world. This is why countries are quite particular about the way they invest in education. It reaps long term rewards for society. It makes a country and its people more productive.

“Evidence shows that, on average, each additional year of education boosts a person’s income by 10 per cent and increases a country’s GDP by 18 per cent. Some researchers estimate that if every child learned to read, around 170 million fewer people would live in poverty.” (Source)

This is especially the case in lower to middle income economies. One of GSE’s core missions is to have impact. We believe that by providing higher standards of education to all parts of the world we can make a genuine difference.

International Education And Why it Matters

I get most excited about international education because it truly develops the global citizen. It recognises that the world is getting smaller and countries and cultures must work together to achieve a better world.

No institution is better positioned to build international bridges than international schools who can help children develop the essential skills that make meaningful connections. Skills, knowledge, communication skills, beliefs, values and opportunities are accelerated by schools that foster this.

Focus On What Matters Most

Setting up and managing schools requires long term and passionate vision. Leaders must have vision beyond their own tenure and own lifetime. It is important that we all understand that our impact can make so much of a difference beyond the classroom.

The future of our current generation depends on leaders turning vision into a mission and creating environments that accelerate our plan for creating a better world.

If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school or an international school franchise check out some of our other articles:

– Steps to Setting Up a New School

– 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School

– GSE International School Franchise Models

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GSE set up schools in all areas of the world

CEO and Education Expert Greg Parry

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for edu-cation institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Ministers Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company GSE (Global Services in Education) has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education in 2015 and 2016.

Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals throughout the world in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start up projects, leadership and curriculum development, has made him a sought after authority in these disciplines.

www.gsineducation.com

Global Services in Education set up and operate schools in all parts of the world. Governed by a philosophy of global citizenship, every member of the GSE team shares a passion to help shape international education and student achievement through inspiration and collaboration.
Our goal is to meet the highest objectives of every school, teacher, student and parent, with an unwavering dedication to quality education, shared ideals and intercultural perspectives.