We can Win ALL!

I deeply admire Sir Ken Robinson and his perspective on the educational revolution, particularly his belief that the focus should now shift from traditional literacy to the development of creativity. It seems that many professionals within the education system still struggle to comprehend that each individual is unique, with their own talents and abilities that can contribute meaningfully to society. This recognition is crucial for fostering a more balanced and respectful community.

Speaking from personal experience, having had the opportunity to teach in different countries, I have witnessed firsthand the varying approaches to education. However, one thing that consistently frustrated me was the persistent stigmatization of mistakes. In many educational environments, making an error is viewed as synonymous with imperfection, ignorance, failure, or even shame. We have been conditioned to punish, criticize, judge, and sometimes even ridicule those who make mistakes.

But mistakes are the opposite of what they are often perceived to be. They are an integral part of the learning process—moments of innovation, problem-solving, and, ultimately, self-confidence. None of us were born knowing everything—at least I wasn’t. I am immensely grateful for the failures I’ve experienced, as they were the stepping stones to my growth and eventual success.

When we teach children to fear making mistakes or trying new things, we stifle their extraordinary potential. If children grow up fearing failure, they will hesitate to take risks, experiment, and innovate. Unfortunately, the current educational system continues to penalize errors, thereby suppressing the creativity and innovation that are inherent to human development.

So, what happens when children stop trying, experimenting, or innovating? We perpetuate the same results that have been produced since the Industrial Revolution, rather than evolving with the needs of today’s world.

However, if we open our minds, stop judging, embrace mistakes, and create space for individual development, we will begin to value intelligence not as the ability to conform, but as the ability to think critically and creatively. How can we achieve this? Clearly, it requires a revolution in the educational system—one that challenges preconceived notions about intelligence. Intelligence is personal, diverse, dynamic, and above all, unique. Therefore, education must become more personalized and organic, honoring the full spectrum of intelligence, with the ultimate goal of empowering students to pursue what they are passionate about.