18-year-old founder of UrVoice Australia, Wadalba’s Jayden Delbridge, will deliver his first TEDx talk on Saturday, August 19, at TEDx Croydon Youth.
The talk, entitled How Schools can Contribute to a Teenager’s Becoming, describes the current inadequacies in the education system and how that disincentivises students from seeking support.
He will use the opportunity to describe the feelings of disempowerment and voicelessness some young people feel and the urgent need for a quality education system focused on wellbeing as a remedy.
“It comes at a time where teachers are doing it tough, and unable to effectively support students whilst also drowning in administrative burden,” Jayden said.
Jayden, who has been a passionate advocate and a member of multiple advisory panels including the NSW Youth Advisory Council, said the education system needed to invest more time educating young people on wellbeing.
“As a recent graduate, I have seen first-hand how the current educational system makes students feel like a burden and disempowered to speak up,” he said.
“Our education system needs to evolve beyond Shakespeare and Calculus.
“It needs to recognise that students are in a critical phase of development and should be supported – both academically but also for their wellbeing.
“It’s time that the education system invested meaningful time to prioritise student wellbeing.”
Jayden said he would continue to fight for reform and build an environment where young people feel supported.
“I’m passionate about cultivating an environment where every student feels empowered to stand up and voice wellbeing concerns, and that’s what I’ll continue to do,” he said.
Source:
UrVoice Australia