For the country’s education system to thrive, it must prioritise human skills and values to prepare the next generation for the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a new report by Cambridge University Press and Assessment has recommended.
While technology is essential, the report, however, stated that it is not enough to just teach digital skills.
The report titled ‘Humans at the heart of education’, emphasised that the greatest possibility for education systems is the collaboration between humans and technology.
“If AI can replace us, then, we are not teaching the right things,” the report warned, highlighting the need for education to go beyond traditional test scores and focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and values that drive economic growth, global engagement, and flourishing societies.”
The report emphasised the importance of education that develops the whole person, encompassing knowledge, skills, and values.
“Education must go beyond traditional test scores to develop the knowledge, skills and values that drive economic growth, global engagement and flourishing societies,” the report stated.
It also emphasised the importance of empowering teachers with technology, rather than replacing them.
“Technology should empower teachers, not replace them. It should make their lives in the classroom easier and free up their time to focus on hard-to-teach human skills, like creativity and critical thinking.”
The Managing Director of the Partnership for Education, Jane Mann, noted that AI is changing education, and the world’s students will graduate at a faster pace than at any point in human history.
“Our report showed that for Nigeria’s next generation to thrive, we must also equip learners with the deeply human knowledge, skills, values and connections that are key to building resilient individuals, and in turn resilient economies and societies.”
It highlighted the importance of ensuring education remains highly relevant to children’s local context, and aligned with national visions, history, traditions, cultural values, and aspirations.
It also recommended teaching digital skills as an essential part of the curriculum, cautioning that this should be done in a way that builds digital competence for life, rather than just teaching specific technologies.
The report’s findings are based on research and analysis of education systems worldwide, highlighting the importance of putting humans at the heart of education. By prioritising human skills and values, Nigeria’s education system can prepare the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of the AI era.
