Thinking can be taught in a direct and explicit fashion. It is not enough to suppose that teaching specific subject areas in a 'thinking' manner is sufficient. The aspects of thinking such as analysis are valid but are only a small part of operational thinking.

We need to detach 'thinking' from the search for meaning of traditional philosophy.

Thinking is operational skill. We need to design simple, practical and effective tools for thinking.

The design approach is much more powerful than the classification approach or the analytical approach. With the classification approach youngsters are put into their boxes or pigeonholes with no hope of emerging form them.

The design approach is all about 'what can be' rather than an obsession with 'what is'.

All the processes mentioned here have been in use for a number of years cross a wide range of ages, abilities and cultures. From four year olds to ninety years olds (Roosevelt University in Chicago). From Down's syndrome children to Nobel prize laureates. Form illiterate miners to top executives. They are in use in thirty five countries: China, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, North and South America, across Europe, Middle East, India, Pakistan etc. etc.

The frameworks are not unlike mathematics. They are neutral and independent and not culture based. They can be learned and used deliberately.

Nothing is more important than the teaching of thinking. With the ability to think - and confidence in that ability - a youngster can take control of his or her life. Instead of being, and feeling, like a cork floating down a stream pushed this way and that by the currents, a youngster can see things more clearly and make decisions and choices.

Any education system that does not teach thinking explicitly as a subject is badly failing the society it is supposed to serve.

It is not enough to teach thinking only to the most gifted youngsters. Thinking can be taught to be most disadvantaged and makes a huge difference to their lives and well being.

To be fair, most people in education do not yet know that thinking is a skill that can be taught explicitly and directly. The methods for doing so are simple, practical and effective - and they have stood the test of time.

It should also be added that youngsters hugely enjoy thinking. Each idea is an achievement. Youngsters choose 'thinking' as their favourite subject. In one school the punishment for misbehaviour was that you were not allowed to go to the thinking lessons!

Edward de Bono

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