By Junaidu Danladi
Every 24th January is celebrated as the International Day of Education which followed the declaration of the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018. The day provides an opportunity to recognize the critical role of education in promoting global peace and development.
Historically, most of the major world religions and civilizations had recognized the importance of education and paid serious attention to it acquisition. Islam for instance, mandates its followers to seek for knowledge anywhere.
Globally, education is considered as human right that ought to be made accessible for all. The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education throughout the world. Also, the Convention on the Rights of Children adopted in 1989 advocates that countries shall make higher education accessible to all. Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
The theme of 2025 Day is ” Artificial Intelligence on Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation” to reflect on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. As AI becoming more sophisticated and accessible, the boundaries between human agency and machine-driven action often blur. This raises serious concern on how to preserve education and ensure quality education.
This year’s celebration is coming at a critical time when the education sector is facing serious challenges in Nigeria. The number of out of school children is increasing rapidly (as about 10.5 million children are not in schools); while most of the schools are in a dilapidated conditions. The teachers too are in a sorrow condition that ultimately affect their service delivery. Access to quality education is becoming increasingly difficult.
With the coming of AI technology, and it becoming more accessible to students, the future of education is worrisome. Most of the education stakeholders at all levels are lamenting the adverse effects of AI and the danger ahead.
According to the Director -General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azouley, “AI offers major opportunities for education, provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical opportunities. To reach it full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them. It must become a tool at the service of teachers and pupils, with the main objective being their autonomy and well-being”.
Junaidu can be reached via:
junaiduromi@gmail.com
