The education system of the industrial age, designed for efficiency, produced a reliable workforce through standardised learning. Unfortunately, this one-size-fits-all approach fails to prepare students for a future rife with complexity and uncertainty. The challenges of the 21st century and the fourth industrial revolution demands a new approach to learning: one that prepares our young people to navigate an unknown and complex future. This is where creativity becomes the catalyst for change.

Creativity is the spark that ignites progress, bringing fresh perspective to complex problems. The challenges of the 21st century demands learners who are not just passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants shaping the future.  Creativity is no longer a luxury; it's an educational imperative.

We must envision a world where every child unleashes their creative potential and becomes an agent of positive change. Creativity, is more than artistic expression; it's a mindset – a lens through which students approach challenges with curiosity, empathy, and a drive to innovate.

Through initiatives like Design for Change (DFC) and the "I CAN" approach at Riverside School, our work demonstrates that creativity can be nurtured in every child, regardless of background. This approach centers on student agency – the belief that children can identify problems, envision solutions, and take meaningful action. By engaging them in real-world challenges using design thinking frameworks, schools can foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the belief that the children can make a difference.

In that spirit, I support the Indian Creativity Consortium. May this initiative be a catalyst for igniting the spark of innovation in young minds across the globe.  

~Kiran Sethi, Riverside School