Message

The school building—and the entire system of education—needs to be reimagined. The current structure was designed in the nineteenth century. Its original purpose was to raise the national quality of life. At the time, it was vital for countries to catch up with the rapidly growing global economy. That system was efficient and successful—until recently.

Over the past two decades, especially around 2020, society has undergone a massive transformation. People across the globe began to gain access to information in an unprecedented way. This change has deeply affected the younger generation. Today, most students are acquiring knowledge not from books, but from the internet. This transformation is irreversible. It brings enormous benefits, but also presents serious challenges.

Education is evolving rapidly. Tests and grading will increasingly be handled by digital systems. Many excellent programs and platforms are already emerging to support students in a wide range of subjects. Mathematics and science, in particular, are well suited to information technology. Artificial intelligence will continue to produce even more efficient and adaptable educational tools. Each student will be guided individually. The number of excellent students worldwide will grow tremendously. Students no longer need to live in cities to gain access to learning. There will no longer be any real difference between nations in terms of educational opportunity. Even a child on the most remote island could become a global leader.

And yet, knowledge alone is not enough to prepare children for life in society.

There is a crucial difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is a tool—it consists of fragments of information. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to make meaningful use of that knowledge. Without sharing and connection, knowledge is useless. The act of sharing knowledge is essential not only for society but also for the stability of nations.

Traditionally, the classroom has been the space where knowledge is delivered to students. The number of students in each class was designed so that a single teacher could manage their academic progress. However, at times the number exceeded what a teacher could handle in terms of each child’s individual needs. The teaching method was linear, and information flowed in only one direction—from teacher to student. That flow is now shifting rapidly. The teacher will no longer be the sole distributor of knowledge. Instead, knowledge will flow individually and interactively across the world.

The role of the teacher will shift toward teaching wisdom—how to apply knowledge meaningfully. This requires a focus on sharing, empathy, and social connection. Human beings cannot live alone. We all depend on one another. Each person is different, and those differences must be embraced. Diversity is vital for a resilient society. And the need for diversity extends beyond humanity. Humans are part of a much broader, diverse environment.