The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many of the shortcomings of our current systems, including education. As schools gradually reopen, and society begins to return to a semblance of normalcy, it might be the right time to refocus on what is important, and redesign education systems to be relevant and forward looking.

Including capitalism in the K-12 curriculum may be a way to strengthen the connection between education and the real world. The private sector is already seeing a shift to a new capitalistic model that balances profit and social impact, and schools can play a part to inculcate a sense of social justice in their students while encouraging entrepreneurship. 

Built on a model that prizes academic knowledge over other forms of learning, universities are increasingly being seen as irrelevant and out-of-touch. To remain relevant, universities should step out of their ivory towers and engage with communities to develop better solutions to problems around the world. 2020 might just be the year universities stop chasing after rankings, but instead re-create themselves as the place for exchanging ideas, teaching and research.

Much have been said about the need to re-imagine education. It’s time to take action.