Reforming the school systems will be a top priority for Anath Foundation. It is a service, but also a mission. The school systems need to be constantly updated to reflect the always-changing needs of society. Anath Foundation will train the organizations involved regarding the necessary steps that need to be taken.
The main key to keep in mind is that the procedure towards reforming school models must be based on a long-term vision. Setting goals for the long run is crucial for the survival and growth of an institution. There are several factors that have to be considered, and the main ones include governance, technology, and curriculum pedagogy. The proper study of these factors and how they can be implemented in a more effective manner is critical for the student’s success in life. When the necessary improvements are achieved in the reforms, we will then be able to see the students’ achievements.
In her book, A World-Class Education: Lessons from International Models of Excellence and Innovation, Vivien Stewart, Asia Society’s senior advisor, highlights the common factors that led to the top-performing systems in the world.
One of the factors is the amendment of the schooling system based on a long-term vision. This vision needs to consider the idea of how education can be achieved in order to better society in terms of reducing levels of poverty, developing a diverse society, creating an ever-growing economy, and so on. For example, this type of vision pushed Singapore from being a third-world country to being a first-world country.
Another factor to keep in mind is sustained leadership. A high turnover in leadership is a major impediment to long-term reform. In order to see significant improvements, one strong leader needs to be assigned. Within three to five years, such reform initiatives can result in major improvements. However, significant changes in effectiveness or reducing achievement inconsistencies on a broad scale take more time than most political terms.
A strong belief among high-performing nations is that the quality of the educational system is dependent on the quality of its instructors. This is independent of the reform technique chosen. The policies being implemented are aimed at attracting high-quality educators, who will be supported every step of the way. Many systems have developed new structures and methods for educating school leaders, including Singapore, Ontario, and Australia.
A successful educational system focuses on acquiring equity in a methodical and durable manner. To reduce the influence of social background on the student’s success, high-performing systems employ a range of strategies. These policies include a variety of community and family assistance beyond the school’s premises, as well as interventions at the classroom level, such as specialized early reading and numeracy help. These measures do not close the educational gap between the students whose parents come from varied educational levels, but they do establish a society where opportunities are equally provided to children worldwide, regardless of their background. The equity to commit to takes the form of children whose education should be categorized as a high priority.
Encouraging students to study diligently by considering both internal and external motivations is a method used in high-performing systems. Finnish education, for example, is based on the concepts of learning and exploration that are directed towards the self. This form of schooling requires exceptionally well-trained teachers.
When resources are effectively used, then students, rather than the institution, will benefit the most. High-performing systems tend to spend their budget equally across the different departments in the organization. The sole focus is the student, and how the student will benefit and develop the necessary skills.
There are more factors that Stewart discusses, however, the ones mentioned above are to be considered first. Anath Foundation aims to work closely with institutions to implement these factors.