Why Zim needs to incorporate AI in its new curriculum
ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving technology that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
AI has the potential to transform various sectors of society, including education, by enhancing teaching and learning practices, personalising learning experiences, and improving educational outcomes.
Zimbabwe, a country that faces many socio-economic and political challenges as a result of illegal sanctions and foreign interference needs to embrace AI in its education system to prepare its students for the future and to foster its development goals.
According to the World Bank, Zimbabwe has strong foundations for accelerating future economic growth and improving living standards, such as excellent human capital and abundant natural resources.
However, these assets are not fully utilised due to structural bottlenecks and policy constraints.
One of the ways to overcome these challenges is to invest in AI education, which can equip students with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
AI education can also expose students to the opportunities and challenges of AI technologies, such as ethical, social, and environmental implications, and enable them to become responsible and informed citizens and consumers of AI.
Zimbabwe is planning to carry out a curriculum review in February 2024, which is a timely opportunity to incorporate AI in its education system.
To do so, Zimbabwe needs to take several steps. One of them is to review and update its curriculum to include AI concepts and applications across different subjects and levels, and to align it with the national and regional development priorities and standards.
For example, Zimbabwe can introduce AI literacy as a cross-cutting theme in the curriculum, and integrate AI-related topics in subjects such as mathematics, science, social studies, and languages.
Zimbabwe can also offer AI-related electives and extracurricular activities for students who are interested in pursuing further studies or careers in AI.
The Government can provide teachers with adequate training and support to integrate AI in their teaching and to use AI tools and resources to enhance their teaching effectiveness and efficiency. Zimbabwe can offer professional development programs for teachers to learn about the basics of AI, its applications in education, and its ethical and social implications.
Zimbabwe can also provide teachers with access to AI-powered platforms and tools, such as chatbots, adaptive learning systems, and intelligent tutoring systems, that can help them answer students’ questions, provide additional information, and grade assignments.
Furthermore, Zimbabwe can ensure that all schools have access to adequate infrastructure, equipment, and connectivity to enable the use of AI in education, and to address the digital divide and inequality issues.
Zimbabwe can invest in upgrading its ICT infrastructure and equipment, such as computers, tablets, and internet access, in schools, especially in rural and remote areas.
Zimbabwe can also ensure that the AI tools and resources are affordable, accessible, and inclusive for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, gender, or disability.
Establishing partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders, such as the Government, private sector, civil society, academia, and the international community, to mobilise resources, expertise, and support for AI education initiatives is also a must. Zimbabweans can work with the Government to develop policies and regulations that promote and govern the use of AI in education, and to allocate funds and incentives for AI education projects.
Zimbabwe can also work with the private sector to leverage their AI technologies and solutions, and to create linkages between the education and the industry sectors.
The country can also work with civil society and the academia to raise awareness and engagement among students, parents, and the public on the benefits and risks of AI, and to conduct research and evaluation on the impact and effectiveness of AI in education.
Zimbabwe can also work with the international community, such as UNESCO, to learn from the best practices and experiences of other countries, and to participate in the global dialogue and cooperation on AI in education.
By incorporating AI in its education system, the country can reap many benefits, such as improving the quality and relevance of education by providing students with personalised and adaptive learning experiences, feedback, and assessment, and by enhancing their motivation, engagement, and achievement.
AI can help students learn at their own pace, and in the way that best suits their needs, by analysing their performance, learning styles, and interests, and by creating customised learning plans for them. AI can also help students who are struggling with particular subjects or topics, by providing additional resources and support tailored to their learning style.
The country can increase access and equity of education by reaching out to marginalised and disadvantaged groups, such as rural, poor, and female students, and by providing them with affordable and flexible learning opportunities and support.
AI can help students access quality education regardless of their location, by delivering online and offline courses and content through various devices and platforms.
AI can also help students overcome barriers such as language, culture, and disability, by providing translation, transcription, and accessibility features.
Moreover, the country can develop its human capital and the workforce by preparing students for the current and future labour market demands, and by enhancing their employability, productivity, and entrepreneurship.
For example, AI can help students acquire the skills and competencies that are essential for the AI era, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, by providing them with interactive and immersive learning experiences, such as games, simulations, and virtual reality. AI can also help students explore and pursue their career aspirations, by providing them with guidance, mentoring, and feedback, and by connecting them with potential employers and mentors.
Socio-economic development and the innovation can be fostered by stimulating the growth and diversification of the economy, and by creating new industries, businesses, and jobs that leverage AI technologies and solutions.
AI can help students contribute to the development of their communities and their country, by providing them with opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems, such as health, agriculture, and energy, and by encouraging them to innovate and create new products and services that address the needs and challenges of their society.
AI can also help students participate in the global market and the knowledge society by providing them with access to information, resources, and networks, and by enabling them to collaborate and communicate with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Social and environmental challenges can be addressed by using AI to improve the delivery and management of public services, such as health, agriculture, and energy, and by using AI to monitor and mitigate the impacts of climate change, disasters, and pandemics.
For instance, AI can help students learn about the social and environmental issues that affect their lives and their planet, by providing them with data, analysis, and visualisation tools, and by engaging them in awareness and advocacy campaigns.
AI can also help students take action and make a difference, by providing them with tools and platforms to design and implement solutions, and by empowering them to be agents of change and leaders of their generation.
AI is a powerful and promising technology that can transform education and development in Zimbabwe.
However, to harness its full potential, Zimbabwe needs to adopt a strategic and holistic approach to incorporate AI in its education system, and to ensure that its application is guided by the principles of inclusion, equity, and ethics.
◆ For feedback you can contact Jacqueline Ntaka on jackie.ntaka@mviyo.com.