Education solutions necessary

Madam,

Futurists will tell you that the future is not something to be predicted; instead it is something that must be created.

The call to invest in educational pathways that pave the way for a sustainable future is an urgent one and is a conversation that cannot be ignored.

There is an increased need to delve into the current education offered and its propensity to support ‘life’ success, not just academic success. The future of the country’s youth hangs in the balance, teetering between limited opportunities for further education and the pressing need to reevaluate the current educational landscape.

Despite the disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of transformative technologies like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Dall-E and various other Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, learners in the country are still being provided with a traditional schooling experience that is unlikely to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS

A seismic shift in mindset is required by education stakeholders so that the curriculum can be repurposed and a pupil’s learning journey transformed to meet the needs of the 21st century. Education, as we know it, must evolve to equip learners with skills based on their innate ability to apply knowledge, solve problems, adapt and innovate.

How we measure learning and success should shift to include ‘life success’, not just school success, which the country’s exams results currently offer. The digital divide, often blamed for hindering progress, must be addressed through interventions and innovations, or the country will risk losing its global participation and relevance.

QUALITY LEARNING ACCESSIBLE

While the role of technology in the future of education is simple to define but difficult to envisage, it is a powerful enabler to reshape education and make quality learning accessible to all.

Integrating technology into education not only levels the playing field, but also nurtures a generation of global problem-solvers, innovators and trendsetters.

It is this kind of approach to education that must be fostered to not only increase the employability of learners but also their propensity to become job creators rather than job seekers.

The need to invest in creating a sustainable future for all learners calls for diverse education pathways and a revamped, repurposed educational system that embraces enterprising learners and alternative learning spaces. Only through such multi-pronged approaches can the country truly progress towards achieving SDG 4; quality education for all, in a world where no one is left behind.

Professor Kat