Zimbabwe schools urged to embrace AI

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has called on school heads across the country to fully embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies to stay relevant in a fast-changing global education landscape.

Speaking during an AI workshop for school leaders, Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza, said the integration of AI in education marks a transformative step that schools must not ignore. He emphasised that AI has revolutionised the way education is delivered worldwide, offering Zimbabwean schools a chance to modernise teaching and learning processes.

"The introduction of Artificial Intelligence has indeed brought our education system to a defining juncture," said Mr Gabaza. "It represents both a new opportunity and a challenge - a chance to rethink, reform and realign our practices to the needs of a modern, knowledge-driven and innovation-oriented society."

The workshop aimed to equip school heads with the skills and understanding needed to integrate AI into their institutions. According to Mr Gabaza, adopting AI tools will help schools improve learning outcomes, enhance creativity, and foster problem-solving among learners.

He said the use of AI can strengthen competency-based learning, promote practical skills, and make the curriculum more relevant to real-life situations by bridging the gap between school, industry and national development.

"AI reminds us that our learners are not merely candidates for examinations, but citizens in the making - equipped to think critically, innovate and solve problems in real contexts," Mr Gabaza said.

However, he acknowledged that many schools still face challenges in implementing advanced ICT learning due to inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply and lack of funding to purchase gadgets such as laptops and tablets.

Mr Gabaza urged school heads to persuade their School Development Committees (SDCs) to prioritise investment in ICT infrastructure to enable smooth adoption of AI-driven education.

"We must also acknowledge the challenges that accompany any major transformation, including the need for teacher capacitation, limited ICT resources and the transition fatigue that often accompanies change," he noted.

He encouraged school leaders to remain adaptable and forward-thinking while ensuring that the integration of new technologies aligns with Zimbabwe's heritage-based curriculum.

"As educators, we must take the path that keeps our profession dynamic and transformative," he said. "We must move from mere knowledge transmission to skills transformation, from routine teaching to creative facilitation, from compliance to commitment."

Mr Gabaza concluded by urging schools to view AI not as a burden, but as a tool for redefining quality education in Zimbabwe.

"Education has always been about adaptation and renewal. Let AI not be a stumbling block, but a stepping stone toward a more relevant, inclusive and transformative education system," he said.