“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. “– Malcolm X To create future ready, independent, self-motivated learners, imparting skills through modern education is imperative. Leadership is one such skill, which is crucial to prepare students for the 21st century. Effective leadership is not unique to iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Mahatma Gandhi, who paved the way for a better tomorrow; it also instill amongst young learners to create future leaders. In the present world leaders like Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai are renowned young leaders and skill development through education is way to shape the young minds.

What is leadership for students?

Student leadership means students take active roles in their education and develop positive skills in the process. It enables them to take actions, strategies, lead through examples. Leadership skills not only provides them with confidence but also helps them to improve other allied skills such as persuasion, communication, problem solving, and collaboration.

How to develop leadership skills for students through school education?

Through quality curriculum: Leadership skill needs nurturing from very young age and the right way to do it is to include it in the curriculum. Through inquiry driven teaching learning process, students learnt to take onus of their learning and inevitably their action. Skill development is integrated in the new teaching strategies and is inculcated in the students.

Through providing various opportunities: Acquired skills need to be demonstrated and can be done through various opportunities. Students led clubs are great examples. Leading a club based on their interest and passion and help training their peers, can definitely open the doors to demonstrate true leadership.

Through student council: Student council selection is one of the common practices in schools. Through roll modeling, they get opportunities to exhibit leadership skills that needs to be disposed for different positions. Being into student’s council, students get confidence and it helps them to take initiatives and take onus of different tasks.

Through various events: Students initiated school events open up areas to show their leadership skills. Events like Model United Nations are true examples of the same. Through MUNs, students work on critical thinking, planning and collaborative skills. MUN provides students great platform of debate, being open minded and agree to disagreement.

The leaders for tomorrow Contemporary education caters to students need and prepare the learners for the future with right skills and attitude. Although our students may be young, but they are the future leaders. With each opportunity and encouragement to grow their skills in a healthy, productive, and appropriate direction, these students can become the good, effective leaders that our world needs.