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Knowledge vs Skills: What Should Today’s Students Really Focus On?

Published on 04-Aug-2025 10:49 AM Category: Skill Innovators

There’s been an ongoing debate in education circles: Should students be taught more knowledge or more skills? With the fast pace of technological development and the unpredictable nature of the job market, this question is more relevant than ever. While many educators now advocate for a skills-first approach to prepare students for an evolving world, it’s worth asking—can we really rely on skills alone? And where does traditional knowledge fit in a world where answers are just a quick Google search away?

Let’s unpack this important discussion.

The Path to Specialisation

This system also encourages early subject specialisation. Students begin with a broad curriculum in primary school, but as they grow, they gradually narrow their focus. By around age 14, they select key subjects to study more deeply for their International GCSEs, and then reduce their choices even further for International A Levels. Eventually, many university students focus on just one or two subjects.

While this level of depth is essential in certain careers—like law, medicine, or engineering—many graduates end up in roles that don’t directly relate to their degrees. Critics of the knowledge-heavy approach argue that young people should instead develop adaptable skills that will serve them across different professions and life situations.

What Are Transversal and 21st-Century Skills?

Transversal skills are those that cut across all subject areas. They’re not tied to one job or topic, but help learners handle a variety of tasks and situations. According to UNESCO, these include:

Creative and critical thinking
Communication and teamwork
Self-discipline and motivation
Cultural awareness and global citizenship
Media and information literacy

These are closely linked to 21st-century skills—the kinds of competencies today’s employers are actively seeking.

What Do Employers Actually Want?

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, the most valuable skills by 2025 will include:

Innovation and analytical thinking
Lifelong learning and adaptability
Solving complex problems
Critical reasoning
Creativity and initiative

The same report highlights that nearly all employers expect new hires to continue learning on the job—and that around 40% of current employees will need to reskill. Post-pandemic hiring trends also show that many companies are now focusing more on a candidate’s abilities than their academic credentials.

Clearly, in this changing world, having strong, transferable skills is vital.

Is your school more focused on building subject knowledge or developing practical skills? What’s your take on which matters more for students today?