Fiji eyes AI in schools

The Ministry of Education is looking at a way forward to motivate and tap into the interest of Artificial Intelligence in schools.

Deputy permanent secretary for Education Timoci Bure revealed this during the Drive Growth with Digital Transformation Forum at the Nalagi Hotel in Nadi yesterday.

The forum was part of the two-day Wuhan Technical University Pacific Centre aimed at building a digitally inclusive, innovative and future-ready nation.

“Some of our teachers are very reluctant to take the change and introduce this artificial intelligence system into the school system, but when this is done, it will be stable,” he said.

“It will incite children’s interest in learning and the classroom will be the best place that students wish to be when it comes into school so, we look forward to working together.”

He said China and other nations had gone far ahead in terms of using AI.

“For Fiji, it’s something different. It’s not the same that we are working to our level best to try and start working with the partners to try and slowly introduce this into the school system,” said Mr Bure.

He said a smart board was a way forward for Fiji.

“I know that some of our schools have a smart board, but they are not as modern as the ones we have been shown here.”

Mr Bure said he liked the idea that there’s a diagnostic system that analyse students’ capabilities.

“Then sort out, or work out the tailor-made, teaching to suit the student’s ability. If we introduce this to our school, we will not have students in our system falling back or losing interest because we have not been able to adapt very well to the potential of talents.

“That is something that is very much lacking in our current system. With the use of artificial intelligence in the school system, this thing will be elevated to another level. We will be able to share with the students, reaching their full potential, because the current system is unable to do that.”

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