Teachers are the unsung heroes of our world today. They are the ones that are helping to shape the minds of the next generation and have an immense influence on the way they will think and act. With technology being an integral part of our lives, it has become increasingly important to leverage technology in education to ensure that students are getting the best education possible. This is why the G20 Education Working Group has been working hard to integrate technology into education with the help of several national and international organizations.
The G20 is a group of 19 countries and the European Union that together account for two-thirds of the world’s population, over 75% of global trade, and 85% of the world’s GDP. The G20 Education Working Group has been focused on promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth through education, with a particular focus on access to high-quality education for all, particularly girls, and empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
This year, the G20 Educational Priorities focus on four main issues: foundational literacy and numeracy, making tech-enabled learning more inclusive, qualitative, and collaborative, building capacities and promoting lifelong learning in the context of future work, and strengthening research and promoting innovation through richer collaboration.
Foundational literacy and numeracy are critical skills for success. Basic literacy involves oral vocabulary, decoding, reading fluency, reading comprehension, and writing. Foundational numeracy refers to the ability to reason about and apply simple numerical concepts in everyday life, such as pre-number concepts, numbers and operations on numbers, shapes and spatial understanding, measurement and data handling.
Technology-enabled learning is also an important issue. The G20 Education Ministers Meeting in Riyadh in September 2020 acknowledged the merits of blended and remote learning, and noted how important it is to expand access to top-notch education, professional development techniques, and active learning. This year’s summit will focus on examining ongoing digital projects, offering creative methods for technology-enhanced learning, and improving their inclusion, quality, and collaboration at every educational level in the G20 nations.
Building capacities and promoting lifelong learning are also key focuses of the G20 Education Working Group. Policy interventions have emphasized the skills needed to succeed in a highly competitive environment and to be prepared for the workplace. These skills, often referred to as “21st Century Skills”, include cognitive and non-cognitive attributes, learning skills, life skills, literacy skills, communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Finally, the G20 Education Working Group is also dedicated to strengthening research and promoting innovation through richer collaboration. They are focused on a wide range of issues with global significance, including early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, and higher education.
By leveraging the G20’s policy interventions and educational reformatory policies, India can set a new benchmark for access to quality education and literacy levels. It’s time to make sure that all students have access to the education they deserve and need. With the G20 Education Working Group’s efforts, we can ensure that our students are getting the best education possible.
