The Forward Party asked its supporters this week what subjects they feel students should be learning in response to a rapidly expanding technological world, finding a plurality of respondents want a return to core competencies over focusing on other areas like life and tech skills.
Findings released this week from the party’s Forward Thinking series revealed that supporters prefer a renewed focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic when asked where modern school curricula should prioritize in light of evolving technologies. As in prior weeks, the Forward Party polled its supporters on Facebook, X, Threads, and LinkedIn to collect grassroots input for shaping future policy goals and priorities. Notably, results were largely consistent across platforms.
On X, where the party received 1,587 responses, 43.9% favored core competencies such as math and reading. Another 37.7% preferred a focus on life skills, defined by the party as tasks like paying taxes, preparing meals, and performing home repairs. More technical skills related to artificial intelligence earned 14.7%, while pursuing professional certifications received just 3.7%.
The other three platforms all saw considerably fewer votes, with 142 votes on LinkedIn and 38 votes on Threads. The party did not specify how many users participated on Facebook, but as of this article, that number stands at 207. On LinkedIn, 54% favored core subjects, followed by 32% for life skills and 14% for technical skills. No respondents supported a focus on professional certifications. Threads results produced a 41% tie between core subjects and life skills, with 15% for tech skills and 3% for certifications.
On Facebook, 55% of respondents wanted a return to core subjects, followed by 36% for life skills, 8% for tech skills, and 1% for professional certifications. However, current percentages vary slightly, as the poll remained open after the party released its initial results.
In a summary of comment responses, the party noted that many supporters advocated for more individualized learning and increased support for student needs. Some respondents expressed that while AI and emerging technologies can play a valuable supporting role, they should be used to assist in delivering a traditional curriculum tailored to each student rather than replacing foundational instruction altogether.
Other respondents stressed a need to re-center public education around core academic skills out of a concern that overreliance on digital tools has sometimes come at the expense of basic skills. Several more called for schools to include more critical thinking, artistic subjects, and civic literacy, arguing that education should support personal growth and democratic participation, not just workforce readiness.
Be First to Comment