Schools should update their curriculum to include more diverse perspectives and histories. This enrichment enhances students’ understanding of the world, promotes empathy, and prepares them for global citizenship. By incorporating diverse voices, students gain a more comprehensive and accurate picture of history and contemporary society, which fosters critical thinking and combats stereotypes.

This inclusion does not dilute essential knowledge but rather complements it by providing a fuller context. Essential knowledge remains foundational, but expanding the curriculum to reflect diverse experiences and viewpoints ensures that education is relevant and inclusive. It also helps students develop the skills needed to navigate and contribute to an increasingly interconnected and multicultural world.

♦ Major Education Policies in India and Their Differences from South Korea

◊ India’s Major Education Policies
1.Right to Education Act, 2009 (RTE)
2.National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
3.National Education Policy (NEP), 2020

◊ South Korea’s Major Education Policies:

1.Free and Compulsory Education
2.Teacher Quality and Training
3.Technological Integration
4.Curriculum and Pedagogy

India: Moving towards a more flexible and multidisciplinary approach with NEP 2020.
South Korea: Emphasis on rigorous, standardized curriculum and high academic expectations.
Teacher Training and Quality

India: Efforts to improve teacher training, but challenges remain in rural and underfunded areas.
South Korea: High standards for teacher selection and continuous professional development.
Technological Integration

India: Gradual adoption of technology in education with a focus on digital literacy.
South Korea: Extensive use of advanced technology and e-learning from an early stage.
Educational Pressure and Student Well-being

India: High academic pressure, especially during board exams and entrance tests.
South Korea: Intense academic pressure and competition, contributing to high student stress levels.

Arts provide a constructive outlet for emotional expression, contributing to mental well-being. Artistic activities improve fine motor skills and spatial awareness, while collaborative arts projects teach teamwork and effective communication.

To maximize these benefits, schools should integrate arts across subjects, support dedicated arts programs, offer extracurricular opportunities, leverage technology, and ensure adequate funding. Prioritizing creativity and arts education equips students with the skills to navigate and contribute to a rapidly evolving world, making them innovative, empathetic, and critical thinkers.

Creativity and arts education are vital in school curriculam to cultivate well-rounded individuals who excel in innovation and critical thinking. Arts education nurtures holistic development by engaging emotional, social, cognitive, and physical faculties, fostering empathy, social skills, and emotional intelligence. It enhances critical thinking by encouraging students to analyze, interpret, and solve problems creatively through activities like painting, music, and theater.

Moreover, arts education stimulates innovation by promoting originality and out-of-the-box thinking, essential in all fields. Research shows that students involved in the arts often perform better academically, as creative engagement enhances cognitive abilities and focus. Arts education also fosters cultural awareness, promoting global understanding and empathy.