Redefining the future of education

THE educational experience enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic and ever-changing technology, has forced the education sector to critically analyse other ways of assisting pupils and students to adapt.

This was discussed at a virtual summit, The Future of Education, hosted by CNBC Africa on Thursday, where topics such as the purpose of education in the 21st century, closing the skills gap, and building capacity and innovative leadership in a knowledgeintensive economy, were top of the agenda.

The five-hour summit also touched on issues that learners were facing, including digitisation, and moving from industrial development learning to personalisation.

Twenty-five international and local

leaders in the sector discussed the purpose of education and analysed how this would inform areas in the education system, such as leadership, curriculum development, skills and capacity building, psychological impacts, technology and teaching methodology, wider-ranging credentials and financing of students.

University of Cape Town vice chancellor Professor Mamokgathi Phakeng said that when the pandemic kicked in, strategic plans had to be put in place in order for teaching and learning to continue.

“The issue was not about getting these students to learn and submit online, because they were familiar with this kind of nature, however, our main problem was the engagement from each student,” Phakeng said.

She explained how students preferred a face-to-face way of learning, because of the dialogues and engagement with one another, rather than learning virtually.

Witwatersrand University vice chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi agreed with Phakeng, and said most students go to higher institutions of learning to acquire skills to join the working class, and to socialise.

He said the world’s rapidly changing environment due to the fast pace of technology, meant the world was in for even greater change.

“Technology is there as an enabler for people to transform. However, we must admit that moving fully digital will put some people at a disadvantage. Some pupils go to school to socialise with other pupils and engage in personal discussions,” he said.

Vilakazi said some institutions adjusted well with moving to the digital world, even so, some had to quickly adapt to the changing environment.