As the world undergoes rapid transformation, education systems must adapt to prepare young people not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but for the challenges of global citizenship. In his recent Teacher Magazine article, Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills at the OECD, highlights how global megatrends—like climate change, demographic shifts, and especially advances in technology—are reshaping what it means to teach and learn in the 21st century.
A key theme emerging from the OECD’s Trends Shaping Education 2025 report is the urgent need to equip students with skills that machines cannot replicate: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, resilience, and ethical decision-making. While AI and automation will replace many routine tasks, they will also open up new roles that require problem-solving, adaptability, and human connection.
This shift places significant responsibility on educators—not just to integrate technology into classrooms, but to do so purposefully and effectively. To meet this challenge, subject-specific continuing professional development (CPD) must be an essential. General training in digital tools is no longer sufficient. Teachers of science, humanities, arts, and maths all need tailored support in how AI and technology can enhance learning in their disciplines. For instance, a primary science teacher might use data-collection apps and simulations to deepen inquiry-based learning, while a history teacher could explore AI-generated timelines or digital archives to support critical analysis.
Access to meaningful CPD can be inconsistent, and time-poor educators may struggle to keep pace with the fast-evolving tech landscape. Schools and systems must prioritise investment in high-quality, subject-relevant training, and ensure it is ongoing—not a one-off session. Equipping educators with both the tools and the confidence to embed tech meaningfully will be crucial in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no student is left behind.
Schleicher states that future workforce will not only need to work alongside intelligent systems, but also navigate a world facing complex challenges: climate disruption, global mobility, inequality, and evolving ethical dilemmas. Education must prepare students not just with knowledge, but with the mindset to engage with these issues constructively. Teaching sustainability, digital citizenship, and ethical AI use should be central to modern curricula.
Schleicher notes the increasing demand for ‘green skills’- from renewable energy to sustainable agriculture- which schools can begin fostering through collaborative learning and partnerships with industry. These trends offer opportunities but also highlight the need for education systems to be agile, forward-thinking, and inclusive.
Ultimately, the future of education depends not only on what we teach, but how we teach- and how well we support teachers to rise to this moment. The choices made by today’s educators and policymakers will echo across decades. By investing in targeted CPD and embracing innovation with intention, we can ensure that our students are not just prepared for the future but are empowered to shape it.
You can access the whole article by following this link.
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OECD. (2025) in Teacher magazine. Global Megatrends and their Impact on Education 2025. OECD
Global megatrends and their impact on education
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OECD. (2025). Trends Shaping Education 2025. OECD Publishing https://doi.org/10.1787/ee6587fd-en