Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising education by making it possible to offer hybrid teaching and learning. It personalises experiences through aspects such as enhancing content delivery, automating marking, and offering real-time feedback on assignments. AI-driven tools can track student performance, help identify at-risk students and provide personalised learning paths.
Moreover, automated content creation (like quizzes and summaries) can reduce administrative burdens, while AI chatbots can provide 24/7 student support. In addition. adaptive learning systems can adjust content difficulty based on student progress, improving engagement and outcomes.
When you include virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR), students can experience hands-on teaching in a way never seen before, especially in fields like IT, engineering, and healthcare. Virtual simulations allow students to practice skills in controlled, risk-free environments.
These technologies also foster collaborative learning, enabling students to work together remotely on projects. For students with disabilities, AR/VR can provide alternative learning experiences that enhance accessibility. Integrating these technologies aligns with the demand for 21st-century skills and prepares students for the tech-driven workforce.
Yet, the state of education in South Africa is such that those students who make it to tertiary education find that, when they graduate, there is a skills mismatch, which will continue to widen if basic learning issues are not resolved.
South Africa faces a growing demand for skilled professionals in fields like technology and engineering, but without the proper education and training, many – particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds – will be excluded from these opportunities. This perpetuates unemployment and underemployment, locking large segments of the population out of economic participation.
It also means that technological advancements will mean nothing because they won’t reach such students and will be limited to the elite who can afford private education.
A significant challenge is the digital divide. While smartphone penetration is around a third, and 75% of the population has internet access, many students still face inconsistent access to devices and high-speed internet, especially in rural and underserved areas. This limits the effectiveness of online and hybrid learning models. Additionally, many students lack the digital literacy needed to fully engage with online content or educational tools. Digital literacy programmes for both students and staff are also essential to ensure everyone can navigate online tools and platforms effectively.
This lack of devices and digital literacy came into sharp focus during COVID-19, which led to what many call the lost year as matriculants had to battle their way through in what was a dystopian time. Many students, particularly from under-resourced schools, were let down because of inadequate devices, poor internet access, and limited support at home.
Many teachers were also ill-equipped to handle this rapid transition, not only because of the issues many students faced, but also because they were not digitally equipped to teach on new learning platforms that came to the fore when companies such as Zoom and Microsoft launched online meeting platforms almost instantly. This led to challenges in maintaining student engagement and delivering lessons effectively.
Modern teaching techniques are simply not available across most of South Africa. There is also a lack of support for lifelong learning. Without affordable, flexible educational options, adults who want to reskill or upskill will be unable to remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy. This will further stagnate career progression and exacerbate the unemployment crisis, as workers without relevant skills will struggle to fill higher-demand, better-paid jobs.
We must all consider the serious consequences if we fail to implement modern educational tools and expand access to quality education across South Africa. Failing to make quality education accessible will deepen social inequality. As technology evolves, those unable to access or adapt to new learning tools will fall further behind. This growing education gap will stifle individual mobility and hinder the nation’s overall economic growth.
With youth unemployment nearing 50%, the stakes are high – not only for young people entering the job market but also for those seeking to upskill. Herein lies an opportunity for the private sector and government to partner, much as they are tackling crime, energy, and logistics issues.
- Professor Bennett Alexander, Academic Coordinator at iTVersity Belgium campus.
