Being Critical...and the fine art of critical thinking

Last Thursday evening, after the orals were done, I crawled back (hmmm...been doing a lot of crawling lately) to the meeting room.  This was one meeting that cannot be missed. You see, we had guests that afternoon; several high-ranking educators from other institutions, who would sit in for a few hours and assess us individually as we conducted our meeting. 

You would imagine the amount of 'role-playing' that could have taken place in that room.  But true to the spirit, my friends and colleagues were not out there to 'out-do' each other.  We closed ranks, and rallied behind one another, unafraid to show our true selves. ( I salute you my friends).  We may not be openly vocal, there were no power-hungry individuals who decided that this would be the best moment to shine.

My sleepy, weary mind was jolted when the esteemed school leaders invited us for an open dialogue.  Prior to the meeting, we were given an article to read : "Critical Thinking and the Asian schools." It was not an academic paper; just a commentary in a foreign newspaper about how schools in Asia is coping with this challenge.

You know, here was were the irony unfolded.  I wonder how prepared the facilitators were to handle the intellectual discussion that ensued...cos , the more the topic was discussed, the more boxed in I felt...and it went against the spirit of what critical thinking is all about.

Without a doubt, schools must 'teach' critical thinking skills...MOE has long identified it as a necessary 21st century skill ; to prepare one for the unknown challenges of the so-called globalisation and new economy.  We see the various efforts made at the various levels.

But we take a step back...and question.
How much do the real implementors...the teachers and its fraternity, truly understand the meaning of critical thinking, and its underpinnings? How prepared are we not only to deliver the content knowledge, but nurture that hunger for mental curiosity and discovery?

The gaps are obvious.
For one, teachers are the products of the 20th century-kind of education system, and yet made to bear this great responsibility.  Add the pace of technology , and all its mind-boggling complexities, it is clear that the teachers themselves are in dire need to a greater paradigm shift than their charges.  And what holds us back sometimes? 2 things....FEAR and CHANGE...we are so afraid of challenges.

Obviously, this topic is too wide to be discussed in just one entry alone here.
But this is my first takeaway from that discussion...where we spoke sincerely (and critically) about the challenges ahead.

Critical thinking does not necessarily equates itself to raising a new generation of people who will be questioning just for the sake of questioning....It does not mean developing the minds to be rebellious.  There is an apparent fear that being critical means having to criticise negatively to what is presented to the individual.

The end goals of critical thinking is to have individuals who will be able to be flexible and respond well to challenges. He is able to think through carefully, suspend his own judgements, accept and listen to the views of others, give critiques based on facts and make rational decisions...all for the greater good of the community.  He is able to analyse things at the micro level, without losing sight of the bigger picture....and of course, being anchored not only by 'the god of reason', but also by universal values that are good.

That...is worth thinking critically about.
How prepared am I for this?