Should Our School System Be Orchestrated Differently?

Think about this statement based on history, “There has been major change in the past 150 years of cars, the same goes for phones, and the world’s technology. The world is rapidly being innovated, but look at schools. It has been the same since 150 years ago.” The modern public school system was started during the Industrial revolution, the world needed factory workers that could obey instructions and do what they’re supposed to do blindly. The world today needs creative, innovative, and skilled people who can work with technologies such as AI and adapt to the world of business, finance, and economy. They need to be able to think critically and “out of the box.” They should also learn business skills such as sales, marketing, and communication to speak out their ideas. Students should learn practical skills that will empower them in the real world. The problem here is that public school systems change the brains of students to think that grades are the most essential thing to success, that homework is the most productive thing to do to increase your potential to success. School is not personalized for anyone or any one student, it is an environment that is a One-Size-Fits-All Curriculum. A lack of personalization means curriculum does not cater to individual learning paces, interests, or career goals, leading to disengagement. My opinion on this global issue is that the classrooms are made to excel in a 1900 world, but we’re living in 2026!

When you really look at how schools run today, it almost feels like we’re stuck in a time machine. We still follow the old “factory model” where bells ring, students switch classes like assembly-line workers, and everyone is expected to learn the exact same thing at the exact same time. While that model might have worked when the world needed rule-following factory workers, 2026 data shows the “new economy” now values creativity and adaptability. Today we need people who can think, create, and innovate — not just memorize and repeat. And honestly, you can see the effects of this outdated system everywhere. So many students walk into school already bored, already disconnected, already counting down the minutes until the day ends. Recent polling indicates that 64% to 68% of teenagers find school boring, while 83% report there are not enough opportunities to be curious. When two-thirds of students are disconnected, it’s not a “student problem” — it’s a system problem.

Another huge issue is how schools treat rote memorization like it’s the same thing as learning. Research highlights that information gained via rote learning is stored in short-term memory and is lost almost immediately after an exam. This isn’t education; it’s mental copy-and-paste that actively discourages critical thinking. Meanwhile, creativity, problemsolving, and real understanding get pushed aside because they don’t fit into a standardized test. This “testing culture” has caused schools to reduce offerings in arts and history to focus strictly on testable subjects, leaving 87% of students feeling that these tests amplify their stress. And speaking of tests, the pressure they create is unbelievable. Students start to think their entire worth is a number or a letter. Instead of making students cram information for a test and forget it the next day, we should ask more open-ended questions to bring their curiosity into their hands and engage them. We should also replace traditional multiple-choice tests with presentations and projects to better demonstrate student knowledge. Instead of discovering what they’re passionate about, they’re terrified of making mistakes. For example, most schools are not teaching “real science.” In my personal experience in science class, we are just getting worksheets and memorizing facts for unit tests and then there’s a debate, which is good and we should have more of those, bringing real skills such as debating/communicating your ideas on the opinion while keeping it science-related. But, my point is that science should be fun and should grow curiosity in asking questions about how the world works in different parts of science.The system doesn’t leave room for different learning styles, different speeds, or different dreams. It’s like telling every student to wear the same size shoe, even if it doesn’t fit.

We actually already know better ways to learn. The way we deliver information is fundamentally flawed. Most classes rely on lecturing, even though research shows student attention spans drop significantly after 10 to 15 minutes. Furthermore, the Learning Pyramid suggests students retain only about 5% of a lecture, compared to 75% when they “learn by doing.” We actually know better ways to learn, like project-based experiences, hands-on experiences, or personalized paths using AI. However, because the traditional system moves at one fixed, 19th-century pace, between 25% and 54% of Gen Z students are described as “disengaged,” often just going through the motions. Also, another side note is that we should integrate technologies such as AI to personalize learning, analyze student progress, and guide career pathways. Schools must teach ethical engagement with digital content, AI, and data. Finally, since we have so much advanced technology such as AI. Teachers should act as mentors and coaches. With technology (like MOOCs or online resources) handling content delivery to improve efficiency and reduce stress and work from the administrative. All of this shows one thing clearly: the school system is stuck in the past, and students are the ones paying the price.

But even with all these problems, it’s not like the school system is completely useless. Schools do give students something important: structure. Not every kid has a stable home, and for many, school is the one place where they feel safe, supported, and surrounded by people who care. Schools also help students grow in ways that aren’t always obvious. They teach kids how to manage emotions, solve conflicts, build relationships, and work together (using a program such as SEL). These skills matter just as much as academics, and have been shown to raise academic performance by 11 to 17 percentile points. Modern schools also include mental‑health supports that reduce anxiety and depression while improving attendance. There are also real benefits to early education. High‑quality preschool programs can change a child’s entire future — better health, better choices, better opportunities. And as much as we criticize the system, it’s still one of the strongest tools for reducing poverty. It gives students from all backgrounds a chance to move up economically. Economists say that every dollar spent on early education returns 4 to 12 dollars in long‑term benefits, such as higher earnings and lower social service costs. For children in difficult home situations, schools provide stability, safety, and support that they may not get anywhere else. So, with all its flaws, there are still strengths that we shall not ignore.

So when you put everything together, it becomes clear that the school system is both helpful and outdated at the same time. It gives students structure, emotional support, and opportunities, but it also limits creativity, individuality, and real‑world preparation. The problem isn’t that school exists — it’s that school hasn’t evolved. Because of this, the best solution may not be to get rid of the school system, but to improve it. By keeping the parts that help students and changing the parts that hold them back, we can create a school system that truly prepares children for the future, not the world of 1900.

Bibliography:

• Curry, Gabbie. “The Failing Education System | North Hennepin Community College.” Nhcc.edu, 2022,www.nhcc.edu/life-nhcc/student-publications/northern-light/northern-light-2022-publications/failing-education.
• Ea, Prince. “I Just Sued the School System.” YouTube, 26 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqTTojTija8.
• School, Next. “6 Problems with Our School System.” YouTube, 15 Dec. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=okpg-lVWLbE.
• The Phillip Mason Show. “Public Schools: 6 Ways They Kill the Desire to Learn.” YouTube, 29 Dec. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DueYMJ1Rk6s. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
• TEDx Talks. “How School Makes Kids Less Intelligent | Eddy Zhong | TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet.” YouTube, 6 Feb. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yt6raj-S1M.