Africa-Press – Kenya. Unlike the days of yore, when good grades were enough to secure decent jobs, employers today are looking beyond academic qualifications when recruiting.
For instance, many organisations want candidates who can think outside the box, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and solve problems as they arise.
Educational experts are calling on parents to invest in taking their children to a school environment that stimulates thought and focuses on skills, saying that employers are now looking beyond academic results.
According to them, employers now want candidates who can think outside the box, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and solve problems as they arise.
According to a McKinsey and Company report, students who undergo skill-based training are 35-50 percent more employable than those who go through traditional education.
“Schools that focus solely on theoretical learning are a raw deal for anyone looking to succeed in today’s competitive world,” says Anthony Mwangi, a leadership teacher at Crawford International School.
He explains that, unlike conventional schooling, which often prioritizes memorization, holistic institutions focus on cultivating life skills like critical thinking, problem solving, time management, communication, collaboration and self-reliance.
“Lessons are often integrated across traditional subject boundaries and linked to real-life experience, making learning more engaging and meaningful.”
Amanda Birkenstock, executive principal at Crawford International School, says that students must be taught social and emotional skills which help them understand and manage their own feelings, develop empathy for others and build stronger relationships.
“In essence, holistic education aims to graduate individuals who are not only academically proficient but also possess the skills, character, and well-being needed to lead fulfilling lives.”
“This balanced approach offers a comprehensive preparation for the challenges and opportunities of the future,” she added.
They argue that school curricula must focus on progressive languages like Mandarin and unique courses like Cryptocurrency and Blockchains, whose usage in society has significantly increased lately.
Amanda gave an example of Crawford, which follows the rigorous Cambridge International Curriculum, advancing holistic education by intentionally integrating academic learning with personalised support, character development and diverse co-curricular engagement.
The school also puts a heavy emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEM), using innovation labs for hands-on, project-based learning.
Educational experts insist that school programmes must also focus on building self-confidence, self-awareness and emotional resilience to help students navigate challenges like low self-esteem and peer pressure.
“Parents must also prioritise schools that offer robust guidance and counselling programmes to support students with emotional regulation, ethical decision-making and general well-being.”
