Current Affairs Is Not Generally Taught In Schools:
Does That Mean It Is Not Important?

The fact that current affairs is not taught in schools is more related to its place in our examination schedule and that there are no widely-available school resources to assist in its teaching. However, its significance in developing adaptable, insightful, curious and intelligent students should not be underestimated.

An active interest in current affairs stimulates academic learning and prepares young minds for the complexities of the adult world. Here are some reasons why (and how) staying informed about global events can benefit students:

Enhancing Critical Thinking and Broad Perspectives

Current affairs open doors to diverse viewpoints and potentially complicated global issues: this fostering critical thinking in young minds. By exploring various topics, students learn to analyse and evaluate information and form their own opinions. This is especially important in an educational landscape that increasingly focuses on specialisation (for example, at GCSE and increasingly so at ‘A’ level aged 16 and beyond). Engaging with current affairs enables students to connect different disciplines (e.g. recognising bias, predicting events and critical thinking) and offers a more holistic understanding of the world.

Cognitive and Academic Benefits

Exposure to current events broadens a student's intellectual horizon and encourages them to explore interests beyond their curriculum. For example, a student skilled in mathematics might find themselves intrigued by economic policies or scientific advancements discussed in publications like ‘The Economist’. This interdisciplinary approach not only refines their interests but also promotes cognitive development, as they learn to link seemingly different and unrelated topics and ideas.

Preparing for Higher Education and Beyond

Universities and future workplaces value individuals who are well-rounded and aware of the world around them. By understanding current affairs, students demonstrate their ability to stay informed, think critically, and engage in meaningful discussions. This prepares them for the demands of higher education and positions them as informed future professionals.

Nurturing Informed Citizenship

In today's interconnected world, being an informed citizen is more important than ever. Understanding current affairs helps students to grasp the complexities of global issues, from climate change to geopolitical conflicts. This knowledge is essential for participating effectively in democratic processes and making informed decisions. It also plays an important role in understanding the reason for conflict and finding realistic solutions.

Encouraging Empathy and Global Awareness

Staying updated with global events fosters empathy and a sense of global citizenship. It helps students to appreciate different cultures and viewpoints, promoting tolerance and understanding in an increasingly diverse world.

Examples from Recent Global Affairs

There are two particular examples of how current affairs have influenced our lives and these both offer valuable perspectives from  which a student might reflect. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need to balance public health concerns with economic impacts and the debates on climate change policies show the need to weigh environmental priorities against economic and social factors.

Academic Asia Education recognises the importance and potential value of encouraging our students (your children), to take an interest in current affairs. It offers an invaluable contribution to their education and personal development. It prepares them for a world that requires critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of complex, global issues. As they navigate their teenage years, this knowledge will be a cornerstone in their growth into informed, responsible adults and allow them to offer something very different to other students when the time comes for their secondary school assessment as well.

Current affairs serves as one important element of our Interview Preparation Programme for example, where we challenge students to think critically and creatively about the world around them, themselves and others.