Education is changing. With artificial intelligence (AI) dominating headlines, maintaining the status quo seems hardly justifiable. Nations hoping to grow in the 21st century should consider the merits of a digital transformation of their education systems: Connectivity transforms economies and allows students from marginalized communities to access education and advanced skilling. Meanwhile, on a classroom level, EdTech innovations promise to deliver engaging and personalized learning, improving learning outcomes and supporting students with disabilities.
However, unlocking the full potential of digital transformation requires more than just technology and infrastructure. It demands a focus on those at the heart of education: teachers. Those leading the classroom are the most aware of its challenges. They have firsthand knowledge of what works and what doesn’t in curricula and the education system overall.
It is disheartening, then, that surveys reveal many teachers are neither prepared nor consulted when new technologies are introduced in the classroom. This approach creates a disconnect that undermines meaningful progress. Resolving this issue is essential before introducing any major changes to the existing systems.
One promising approach comes from initiatives like Schools2030, a global coalition led by the Aga Khan Foundation. Schools2030 empowers educators with tools that help them assesstheir classroom needs, design tailored solutions andshare outcomes with policymakers to inspire broader change.For instance, in rural Kyrgyzstan, where many parents migrate for work, a teacher used technology to remotely connect kindergarteners with their parents for story time.This simple, contextualized intervention not only enhanced literacy, but also strengthened family bonds, and socio-emotional learning, showcasing how technology can address specific, localized challenges. It demonstrates how innovative practices can be shaped by the insights of educators on the front lines, driving systemic transformation from the ground up.
Continued investment in the skilling and professional development of educators is critical for digital transformation. In today’s rapidly evolving world, teachers are navigating a landscape wherenew technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, are emerging daily, while simultaneously grappling withnew global issues, such as climate change that have local implications. Teachers in many parts around the world are concerned, butthey often lack the relevant knowledge and tools to guide their students meaningfully in the 21st century.
Programs like TrainforTomorrow, funded by Dubai Cares, offer a model for bridging this gap. In Ghana, trainers deliver lessons through satellite and solar-powered infrastructure, ensuring that even teachers in the most remote areas have access to quality professional development. This innovative approachimproved teaching practices and enhanced subject knowledge, making education more impactful, inclusive and accessible for all.
It is crucial to emphasize that in all cases, education technology should remain a complement to qualified, empowered, and fulfilled teachers who are valued and respected in their communities. While I am not a teacher, I owe much of who I am today to the educators who shaped my path. The timeless values and skills they imparted did not just teach what to learn, but how to learn. They – and not the internet – taught me how to tackle the world’s complex challenges through collaboration, resilience, and a growth mindset.
In the changing world of education, then, we must ensure that teachers remain at the centre of any digital transformation. Recognized and supported, they are the driving force behind positive change. Meaningful transformation in education starts when we hear teachers and empower them, as they inspire, guide, and shape the leaders of tomorrow.
