The school-leaving grade 12 results were announced last week in Oman, and as always, there were tears of joy and disappointment. Many students may have felt they got rewarded for their hard work while others may have felt short changed.
The comforting thought is that today, these summative academic results don’t mean much. In fact, an average result is not indicative of any future plans a student may have.
Education is being re-defined today in ways which one could not imagine at the turn of this century. Having standardised school-leaving final exams may be important, but they are not reflective of individual interests, capabilities, or even general intelligence.
Research has well established the fact that individuals have unique skills and interests, not all of which are reflected in written exam conditions. To a large extent, exams mainly test memorisation skills and the capacity to perform a task within a specific time limit.
Such settings don’t take into account late bloomers. It is quite challenging to be all sorted by 16 or 17 years. All that one can accomplish at this age is regurgitate others’ opinions and narratives.
There are also new challenges which need unusual approaches. In fact, a major impact of the immersion of Artificial Intelligence in every sector of our world is the falling back on traditional trade and industries.
A recent survey by the Economic Times showed that youngsters were turning back to trade careers which are more hands-on and more resistant to challenges that technology will keep introducing. Such a ‘countercultural’ move is not just a passing trend, but a dynamic shift which reflects the market.
The case of a college in the United States offering specialisations in welding is relevant. The new programme established by the college would create niche opportunities in specific avenues, including welding in submarines. Such programmes are seen to be ‘AI-proofing’ while also giving more choices to school leaving students to take up a variety of professional options.
In fact, the very skills that the market requires now – critical thinking, collaboration, communication and adaptability, are not necessarily provided by a secondary or even tertiary degree. Personal networking and showcasing portfolios work well than passively applying to all possible jobs. These are affective skills which develop over time, practice and implementation, not rote learning.
In many ways, this is an exciting time for those seeking new avenues. Whether being a start-up in an emerging industry, a content creator or engaging in other creative sectors, the possibilities are immense.
Of course, none of this is possible without determination, hard work and passion. Being, and staying invested in off-course careers, requires far more resilience than traditional jobs, but it can be more rewarding.
The take-away from the results just announced is not that it is a judgement on performance but that it is only a step in a journey of self-discovery. It is only a first, but important step in discovering exactly what one’s interests are, and how to move forward. Remembering that this one grade is not life-changing, is perhaps the most important lesson.
Sandhya Rao Mehta
The writer is Associate Professor, Sultan Qaboos University
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