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Rhema Group and the Learning Lab challenge the Education Sector to invest in Emotional Intelligence

The Changing Faces of Learning Conference organised by The Learning Lab in February proved an invaluable opportunity for the education sector to gain fresh insights into the challenges which lie ahead for it.

In his keynote presentation Learning Lab Director Professor Steve Molyneux addressed the issue of Supporting the 21 st Century Learner. He clearly delivered the message that to face rigorous higher education course work, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, schools must align classroom environments with real world environments by infusing 21st century skills and technologies.

In his address on Leading and Manging Change Rhema Group MD Jeremy Francis expanded on this by stressing the need for those in education, at all levels, to embrace EQ (Emotional Intelligence) and not just IQ in addressing the challenges they face. “The Government’s Building Schools for the Future initiative is a good example of a major, transformational change taking place in the education sector for which teachers and lecturers, on their own admission, feel ill-equipped”, he said. “They should embrace the ‘softer’ skills of leadership, change management and partnership working. These areas of emotional intelligence are really no longer optional but a must for the 21st century teacher to acquire.”