The School System Is Failing Our Young People—and It’s Time to Imagine Something Better

When was the last time we truly questioned the purpose of the school system? Most of us accept schooling as an inevitable part of life—a necessary step for young people to become educated, successful adults. But what if the very foundation of the system we rely on is flawed?

Historically, schools weren’t created to empower young people or foster their curiosity. In fact, the modern school system has roots in 18th-century Prussia, designed not for education as we understand it today, but to produce obedient citizens and compliant workers. This model prioritized detachment—young humans were expected to suppress their bodily needs, curiosity, and free will in favor of submission to authority. While society has evolved in countless ways, the structure of conventional schooling remains startlingly the same.

Even now, schools often demand silence over self-expression, uniformity over individuality, and obedience over agency. Young people are told what to learn, when to learn it, and how to behave, leaving little room for their own interests or needs. What does this teach them about themselves? That compliance matters more than creativity? That their worth is tied to grades and test scores?

This isn’t just a theoretical critique; the consequences are real and measurable. Rates of anxiety, burnout, and depression among young people have been rising steadily, with many struggling to meet the rigid expectations of an outdated system. Teachers, too, are burning out, caught between the demands of standardized curriculums and the unmet emotional needs of their students.

The problem isn’t education itself—it’s the one-size-fits-all approach that prioritizes conformity over connection. Education should be about relationships, fostering curiosity, and honoring individuality. Imagine a system that asks, Who is this young human in front of me? What do they need to thrive? Instead, we ask them to fit into pre-existing molds, trimming away their uniqueness like trees pruned into rigid shapes.

But there’s hope. Around the world, families and educators are questioning these norms. Alternative education models like self-directed learning centers, unschooling, and homeschooling are gaining traction. These approaches focus on relationships, emotional well-being, and curiosity—helping young people grow into critical thinkers and problem solvers who are connected to themselves and their communities.

This isn’t about throwing away the idea of public education. Access to education is a fundamental human right, but it needs to look radically different from what we see today. We need diverse and varied approaches that reflect the diverse needs of young humans. We need to shift from a system focused on production and outcomes to one that prioritizes connection and relationship.

It’s time to reimagine education, not as a factory producing standardized adults, but as a dynamic space where kids can be seen, heard, and valued. For the sake of our young people and the society they will build, we need to ask ourselves: What do we want education to be?

Want to hear more about our thoughts on this? Listen in to our latest episode of our Radical Learning Talks podcast where we invite you to further explore why the conventional education system isn’t working and imagine a more compassionate and empowering way forward!