Nairobi: At least seven out of ten Kenyans believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the biggest challenge the education sector must prepare the next generation to face. The survey conducted by Cambridge University and YouGov engaged over 1,000 adults in Kenya, revealing that a significant majority of Kenyan adults see emerging technologies like AI and automation as one of the top challenges for the education sector to address.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Director in charge of partnership for education at Cambridge, Kagendo Salisbury, highlighted that the possibilities for education systems lie in the collaboration between humans and technology. The survey, titled ‘Humans at the Heart of Education,’ also examined other public health issues, including mental health and pandemics at 49 percent, cyber security at 38 percent, and climate change at 32 percent.
Kagendo Salisbury emphasized that while Kenyans want the education sector to prepare young people for new technologies, it involves more than teaching digital skills, which may become obsolete with rapid technological advancements. Kenya is at the forefront of integrating technology into daily life, leveraging human strengths such as creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The Director noted that Competency-Based Education (CBE) is crucial in embedding these strengths alongside digital skills and critical thinking, equipping the next generation to lead and innovate in a rapidly changing world. She stressed the importance of balancing investment in infrastructure with human skills to realize Kenya’s potential fully.
The report urges both Kenyan and global education systems to focus on holistic education that involves all stakeholders, including teachers as agents of change. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,084 Kenyan adults aged 18 and above, indicated that 58 percent of respondents prioritize fostering digital skills, including AI and data literacy, in the next generation.
While digital skills are highly valued, the survey also highlighted the importance of human skills, with 51 percent of respondents emphasizing creativity and innovation as key skills for the future. The survey warned that delaying the adoption of new technologies could lead to teachers being replaced by technology.
The survey underscores the belief that teachers, parents, guardians, students, the community, and employers should significantly influence education policy. It was conducted by Cambridge University Press and Assessment’s Partnership for Education team, focusing on global national education system development.
