To ensure holistic development and equal opportunities for all children, music must become an integral part of the school curriculum

Driven on one side by developments in technology and on the other by changes to the global social order, we face tectonic shifts in the future of the workforce and challenges such as climate change and conflict. With this as a backdrop in mind, there is an urgent need to ensure that we can equip today’s youth with the skills and mindsets to thrive in this dynamic environment.Education for the last 200 years has largely been based on imparting knowledge.

With increasing levels of specialization through the Industrial Revolution, knowledge became more valuable; however, today, soft skills, also known as Life Skills, have become much more needed. Without these skills, it is difficult to survive and succeed.More importantly, character building becomes imperative if we are to be prepared to tackle the global challenges facing us. We must define leadership not by position but as “Strength of Character” and “Sense of Community.”There is plenty of research and evidence showing that skills such as collaboration and communication, critical and creative thinking, and character traits such as self-confidence, grit, and resilience, as well as having a growth mindset, can be effectively developed through experiential learning that uses mediums such as team sports, the arts, and free play.

Music is one of the most powerful art forms that supports the development of these skills in multiple, effective ways. Learning music requires practice and self-discipline to improve. It requires the student to set goals, like mastering a piece of music or preparing for a performance, and then implement a plan to achieve these goals.

Performing in a group teaches students the importance of working together, listening to each other, and supporting one another. Students who learn different types and forms of music develop empathy and a deeper understanding of different perspectives. Most music programs encourage composition and improvisation, allowing students to develop their creative thinking skills. Performing in front of an audience helps build self-confidence while learning from mistakes during a performance helps build resilience and a growth mindset.Today, a well-rounded music curriculum is available in higher-end private schools, but all children must get the same opportunity. We need to ensure that music education becomes a core part of the school curriculum and is not treated as an extracurricular activity.

Only then can we ensure equal access, regardless of background or skill level.If we can make teaching music in schools the norm, it will ensure the holistic development of all children. Building character and life skills will mean that we will not only support children in their journey towards personal and professional success, but we will also help develop a generation of leaders capable of taking care of themselves and the world around them.

(The writer is CEO and founder, Enabling Leadership; views are personal)