Integration of 21st-Century Skills
21st Century Skills - from the World Economic Forum
To ensure learners are ready for modern challenges, the curriculum is built around a 21st-century skills framework. In particular, it draws from the World Economic Forum’s categorization of essential skills: Foundational Literacies, Competencies, and Character Qualities. This means academic content is interwoven with critical soft skills and character development, rather than taught in isolation. Each learning module or project addresses not just “what students know,” but also “how they use that knowledge and who they become in the process.”
Foundational Literacies
Students build strong fundamentals in literacy and numeracy alongside scientific, ICT, financial, and cultural literacy. These are core academic skills in reading, math, science, and digital fluency that every global citizen needs. The model uses engaging methods (like interdisciplinary projects) to teach these basics in context rather than rote drills.
Competencies
These are the “learning how to learn” skills. The program emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving at every turn – students analyze information, tackle complex questions, and practice creativity in open-ended projects. Communication and collaboration are also deliberately cultivated; for example, group projects and presentations hone students’ teamwork and speaking abilities. Such competencies ensure students can apply knowledge in novel situations.
Character Strengths
Equally important are traits like curiosity, initiative, persistence (grit), adaptability, leadership, and social awareness. The model nurtures these through mentorship, reflection, and real-world challenges that push students out of their comfort zones. For instance, a long-term community service project might develop resilience and leadership; a cross-cultural exchange could build social and cultural awareness. Teachers coach students in mindset and habits, praising effort, integrity, and learning from failure.
Skill Tracking and Mastery
Each student tracks progress in these skill areas through the personalized approach and portfolio (see below). The OER library is also tagged with these categories, so students can choose activities to strengthen a particular competency or literacy. By graduation, learners have a balanced skill set: not just good test scores, but the ability to think critically, work in teams, innovate, and adapt – hallmarks of a 21st-century education.