In the biggest youth-led study on global education since the pandemic, young people have slammed an “outdated” education system that is failing to prepare them for the world of work.
The By Us, For Us report, published by Restless Development ahead of the RewirEd Summit this December, was produced by twelve young researchers from around the world and looked at survey data from 3,294 young people in 70 different countries.
The findings have prompted the launch of a new global campaign where young people are calling on world leaders to #MakeEducationWork.
One of the key findings of the study is that 40% of young people feel that education is badly aligned with work opportunities. Instead of providing them with the skills they need for earning a living, like soft skills and entrepreneurial skills, schools are stuck on teaching traditional textbook memorisation methods.
Young people know that they want change but feel frustrated in their ability to campaign for change, with 66% saying they do not have the opportunity to organize themselves or to speak out and feel that they are not listened to by adults.
Meanwhile, the pandemic exposed a brutal digital divide. With 91% of those without internet access at home feeling their education was disrupted, compared with just 66% of those with reliable internet access.
The #MakeEducationWork campaign is calling on world leaders to listen to the recommendations in the By Us, For Us report including:
- Education Restart Grants to help those most in need to catch-up on learning they missed out on during the pandemic
- A new curriculum focused on practical skills that get young people ready for the workplace
- A seat at the table in shaping education policy, with decision makers not just listening to young people but sharing power with them
You can sign up to the #MakeEducationWork campaign today at MakeEducationWork.org
