Why the Education System Teaches Conformity, Not Creativity (And How to Change That)

We’ve all sat in those classrooms. The teacher stands at the front, chalk in hand, writing answers on the blackboard. Rows of students follow along, heads down, dutifully copying every word. The goal is simple: memorize the content, reproduce it in the exam, and move on to the next topic. For years, this has been the reality for millions of African students.

But let me ask you something how many of those hours spent copying, cramming, and testing prepared you for the world outside the classroom? If we’re honest, the answer is: not much. And it’s not because education doesn’t matter. It’s because the way we’ve been taught is designed for conformity, not creativity.

The Problem with Conformity

Let’s go back to where it all started. The education system most of us grew up with wasn’t designed to make us thinkers, problem-solvers, or creators. It was built for efficiency. During the colonial era, schools were introduced to produce clerks, factory workers, and civil servants people who could follow instructions, keep records, and serve the administration. It rewarded obedience and punished curiosity.

Even after independence, this system remained largely unchanged. We replaced the colonial names on the schools, but the structure stayed the same. The focus was still on discipline, memorization, and producing graduates who could slot neatly into pre-existing roles. And for a time, that worked. Government jobs, corporate offices, and steady employment were the benchmarks of success.

But the world has moved on. Those jobs are disappearing, replaced by automation, outsourcing, and a digital economy that thrives on creativity and innovation. Meanwhile, we’re still running the same race, training young people to be perfect parts of a machine that no longer exists.

What Conformity Costs Us

Conformity kills innovation. Think about it: if you’re taught to never question authority, how do you challenge a broken system? If you’re told that there’s only one right answer, how do you come up with new ideas? If you’re trained to follow, how do you learn to lead?

Take Kenya’s unemployment crisis. Every year, thousands of young people graduate, clutching their certificates and hoping for a job. But the jobs they’ve been trained for don’t exist. The economy has shifted, and instead of creating opportunities, many are left feeling stuck wondering if they wasted all those years studying for a system that failed them.

But it’s not just about jobs. It’s about confidence. When creativity is ignored, students stop believing in their ability to think for themselves. They start to doubt their ideas, their instincts, and their worth. That’s a loss not just for them, but for all of us.

What Needs to Change

So how do we fix it? How do we shift from conformity to creativity? The truth is, it won’t happen overnight. Changing a system that’s been in place for decades is hard. But every revolution starts with small, deliberate steps.

Shift the Focus from Answers to Questions: In our current system, students are taught to memorize answers. But the real world isn’t about getting the right answer; it’s about asking the right questions. Teachers should encourage curiosity letting students explore, experiment, and even fail. Because in failure, there’s learning.
Teach Problem-Solving, Not Just Content: Imagine if, instead of just learning equations, students were challenged to solve real-world problems like how to provide clean water to their communities or design affordable housing. This kind of learning doesn’t just teach facts; it builds skills that matter.
Value Creativity as Much as Discipline: Creativity isn’t just for artists. It’s the foundation of innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Schools need to make space for it whether through project-based learning, hands-on workshops, or simply letting students think outside the box.
Empower Students to Lead: What if, instead of always following instructions, students were encouraged to take charge of their learning? To come up with their own projects, set their own goals, and learn from the process of trying and adapting? Leadership starts in the classroom.

The Role We All Play

Change doesn’t just rest on schools or governments it’s something we can all be part of. If you’re a parent, encourage your child to think critically, to ask why, and to explore the world beyond textbooks. If you’re a teacher, give your students the freedom to fail and the tools to turn those failures into successes. And if you’re a student, don’t wait for the system to change. Start questioning, creating, and experimenting today.

Let me tell you about a friend of mine. He didn’t have much growing up a small home, an old computer, and a big curiosity about how things worked. While his classmates spent hours memorizing definitions, he was tinkering. By the time he finished high school, he’d built a small tech company, creating apps for local businesses. Today, he’s running a thriving business, not because he had the best grades, but because he dared to think differently.

The Future We Can Build

I know it’s easy to get frustrated with the system. It feels big, unchangeable, and unfair. But here’s the thing: the system isn’t a person or a machine. It’s made up of all of us students, teachers, parents, leaders. And if we start changing the way we think, teach, and learn, the system will follow.

So here’s my challenge to you: don’t settle for the answers you’re given. Ask better questions. Don’t just follow the path that’s been laid out. Create your own. Because the world doesn’t need more people who conform. It needs thinkers, dreamers, and builders. It needs you.