• Home
• /
• Education

Do schools kill students’ creativity?

Sir Ken Robinson's presentation was filled with examples of how information systems could be combined with human intelligence to make lives simpler in a few years.

Dubai – Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson made an entertaining and moving case to change school curriculum and help kids reignite their creative spark in schools.

Addressing an audience of educators at the Government Summit, he said: “People go through education without realising what their abilities are. A lot of people succeed only when they recover from their education.’’

Explaining his views on creativity, Ken noted the failure of schools to bring out hidden talent.

“Human talent is often buried and you need choice in curriculum where people realise their talents. There should be flexibility in curriculum. Creativity is possible in any form of human enterprise. It is a function of human intelligence,” he explained. 

A vocal critic of traditional education systems – the celebrated author advocates alternative education where students are encouraged to showcase their unique side.

“A key feature of human intelligence is they have diverse talents, abilities, passions and interests. Today, education standardises children because education systems have a narrow view of intelligence and creativity.”

His interactive presentation was filled with examples of how information systems could be combined with human intelligence to make lives simpler in a matter of few years.

“We are living in revolutionary times. We haven’t lived in such a time in history. We have to do things differently. Ten years ago there were no smartphones and no social media. This proves to us new technology is unpredictable and this always has unexpected consequences.”

Defining creativity he said, “It is a process of having original ideas that have value. To be creative you have to do something. Creativity has to be taught. You can cultivate it.”

Advising schools to help children rediscover themselves and move away from standardizing their skill sets, he said, “Children need a sense of community. We have to respect their individuality. They need to be taken further than they would have been otherwise. Kids should grow.

Robinson recollected his last visit to Dubai 15 years ago and explained how the city looked different back then.

“Dubai is a shining example of tapping into dormant creativity. The city was built as the end result of unleashing imagination,”

He invited educators in UAE to focus on changing curriculum, teaching style and assessment to help bring a real change.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com, dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com