The need for education systems to evolve along with the demands of the global economy is certain. But the question of how to implement this change at the classroom level is less clear. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) embarked on a research programme, sponsored by Google for Education, that explores the strategies that are most effective for developing 21st century skills and how technology can support such efforts.   In this report, Fostering exploration and excellence in 21st century schools, we discuss the findings of our research, which includes a global survey of 1,200 teachers and administrators from 16 countries around the world. The research programme builds upon the EIU’s 2015 study, Driving the skills agenda: Preparing students for the future, which assessed shifts in skills needs.

Education is widely seen as the main driver of long-term social impact in Asia, and educational philanthropists are increasingly targeting innovative projects that help marginalised and deprived communities.

How to contribute wisely to education in Asia? Read the report >>

Through Q&As with luminaries in a number of sectors across the world, interviews aim to surface insights for policy makers, business leaders and other stakeholders as they consider actions to improve the quality of, and access to, education, to fortify their country’s economic, social and geopolitical fabric.

The series is supported by The International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity, which just presented a report urging governments to expand access to education to the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, and the Commission Co-Convenors during the UN General Assembly in New York.

The report, entitled "The Learning Generation: Investing in Education for a Changing World,” underscores the importance of quality education to address the social, economic, and security challenges of our time. For more on the report please go to educationcommission.org