Speaking in Johannesburg on Monday, Lesufi said technology, and specifically artificial intelligence (AI), is key to fixing education and growing South Africa’s economy.
The occasion was a ministerial breakfast honouring the country’s top National Senior Certificate achievers. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube was also in attendance.
Addressing the matriculants, Lesufi praised their talent and commitment and said they represent the country’s future.
However, he warned that this future depends on how quickly schools adapt to new technology.
“If we can’t get education right, we’ll never get the country right,” Lesufi said. “If we can’t get education right, we’ll never get the economy right.”
SA is ‘lagging behind’
The Gauteng Premier argued that AI should be a learning tool in schools and not something that merely supports “social media distractions.”
Lesufi said pupils must be allowed to use AI in their schoolwork, and that teachers should also be trained to guide its use effectively.
“We must make it easy for learners to use AI for education,” he added. “It’s here, it’s real…it’s surrounding us.”
The Premier also believes that South Africa has fallen behind in adopting AI.
“We can’t wait 17 years to integrate it into our classrooms.”
The Gauteng Premier said what?
Lesufi used some light-hearted examples to illustrate his points
“The Stone Age didn’t end because that generation ran out of stones,” he said. “It ended because new ideas developed, and these new ideas must be planted in our education system.”
The Gauteng Premier also stressed the need for better school infrastructure – including free Wi-Fi, smart devices, and digital learning tools.
“Some of these children, one day they will develop that fridge that when you are still at work, you just send a text message to your fridge and say, Dear fridge, please defrost this meat,” he quipped.
“Chalkboards and dusters should belong in museums.”
