#Unlearning

Unlearning, a concept once relegated to the margins of educational theory and neuroscience, is taking center stage in 2025 as new research urges individuals and institutions to rethink how knowledge is acquired, updated, and, crucially, discarded. As global education systems and workforces grapple with fast-evolving information landscapes, being able to let go of outdated ideas is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for personal growth and organizational innovation (Psychology Today; WDHB).

Unlearning is moving from fringe theory to a central priority in 2025, as new research urges both individuals and institutions to reevaluate not just what we learn but what we discard. In fast-changing information landscapes, letting go of outdated ideas is essential for personal growth and organizational innovation, a message increasingly echoed by Thai educators and policymakers.

In Thailand, where reforms in education and workforce development are linked to national progress, the call to “learn to unlearn” resonates deeply. Data from leading research teams shows that unlearning goes beyond forgetting; it means consciously challenging beliefs that are incomplete, outdated, or based on flawed frameworks. The process requires humility and a tolerance for discomfort—qualities that can be hard to cultivate in environments that prize tradition and consistency.