"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." – Nelson Mandela

Education is often called the great equalizer, but when you take a hard look at its origins and the system we have today, it’s clear that our schools were never designed to level the playing field. They were designed to meet the needs of an industrial economy—an economy that no longer exists. The truth is, our education system was built by wealthy individuals with a singular purpose: to create a compliant labor force.

During the Industrial Revolution, factories needed workers who could follow instructions, keep to a schedule, and perform repetitive tasks. Schools mirrored this structure, teaching basic literacy and math, while instilling discipline and obedience. Standardized curricula, regimented schedules, and even the physical layout of classrooms reflected the needs of an industrial society. Critical thinking and creativity weren’t priorities. The goal wasn’t to empower; it was to prepare people to work in a system that benefited the few at the top.

Fast forward to today, and we still see the fingerprints of this industrial model all over our schools. Sure, we’ve made some progress, but let’s be honest—our education system still feels like it’s designed to produce cogs in a machine rather than well-rounded, critically thinking individuals.

The Legacy of Inequity

One of the biggest problems with this system is how it perpetuates inequality. Wealthier communities have better schools, better resources, and better opportunities. Meanwhile, schools in low-income areas are often underfunded and overcrowded, leaving students with fewer chances to succeed. This isn’t by accident. It’s the legacy of a system designed to maintain the status quo, to keep the wealthy in power and everyone else struggling to catch up.

Think about it: If education truly worked as the great equalizer, wouldn’t we see more upward mobility? Instead, we see systemic barriers at every level. Access to elite schools and universities is still largely determined by wealth, not merit. The best opportunities often go to those with family connections or the money to buy their way in. It’s not just unfair—it’s a betrayal of the promise of education.

Outdated for a New World

Another issue is that the world has changed, but our schools haven’t kept up. The jobs of the future require creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability. Yet, we’re still teaching students to memorize facts and follow instructions. Automation and technology have replaced many of the jobs our education system was designed to prepare people for. If we’re going to prepare students for the future, we need to rethink what we teach and how we teach it.

The Human Capital Hypothesis suggests that as technology advances, workers should earn more because their productivity increases. But the reality is much different. Automation hasn’t raised wages for most people—it’s replaced their jobs. And instead of rewarding skill and merit, our system still rewards nepotism and privilege. In a world where opportunities are already unevenly distributed, this only widens the gap.

Inequality Hurts Us All

Here’s the thing: inequality in education doesn’t just hurt the people at the bottom. It hurts all of us. When wealth and opportunity are concentrated in the hands of a few, it creates resentment, division, and instability. It undermines democracy by giving the wealthy an outsized influence on policy. And it makes it harder to tackle the big challenges we all face, from climate change to public health crises.

Consider this: The top 1% of earners in the U.S. control more wealth than the bottom 90% combined. That kind of disparity creates power imbalances that trickle down into every aspect of our lives, including education. Schools in underfunded districts struggle to keep up, while those in affluent areas thrive. This imbalance ensures that cycles of privilege and poverty repeat themselves, generation after generation.

What Needs to Change

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. We have the tools and knowledge to create an education system that works for everyone. Here’s what we need to do:

1. Invest in Equity
   Funding for schools should not depend on the wealth of the community they serve. Every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their zip code.
2. Focus on Critical Thinking and Creativity
   Instead of preparing students for jobs that no longer exist, we need to teach skills that are relevant to today’s world—problem-solving, adaptability, and innovation.
3. Challenge Systemic Barriers
   College admissions, advanced placement programs, and even extracurricular opportunities are often tilted in favor of the wealthy. We need policies that ensure merit, not money, determines access.
4. Reimagine Lifelong Learning
   Education shouldn’t stop at high school or college. We need to create pathways for people to continue learning throughout their lives, especially as technology changes the job market.
5. Empower Teachers
   Teachers are the backbone of any education system, yet they are often underpaid and overburdened. Investing in teacher training, support, and fair wages is crucial.

A System for the People

Education should be about empowerment, not compliance. It should prepare people to think critically, challenge injustice, and contribute to society—not just to serve as labor for the wealthy. Reforming our education system isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a practical one. The world is changing, and if we don’t change with it, we’re dooming future generations to a system that was outdated the moment it was created.

We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our society to create an education system that reflects our values and prepares us for the challenges ahead. It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. And it starts with asking hard questions about who our system was designed for—and who it should serve in the future.