Asha Thomas

School education is a partnership of the student, the parent and the teacher. However schools enjoy a unique position that can help shape both the intellect and the character. They need to go beyond preparing students to be consumers of knowledge, making learners who look to others for the 'right' answers, telling them what to think and promoting unthinking acceptance. An enduring education should equip students with the skills of how to think, to not fear 'not knowing', to be curious, to enjoy the process of learning and to form the habits of a thinking mind. They also strongly influence the development of an individual's value system. Thus, as builders and shapers of intellect and character, schools can be powerful change agents in an evolving world order.