Background and rationale
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming multiple sectors, and education is no exception. According to UNESCO (2021), AI holds significant promise for addressing some of the most persistent challenges in education, including access, quality, and equity. In Africa, these challenges are particularly acute: in Sub-Saharan Africa, only 43% of students complete lower secondary school (UIS, 2019), and the region is projected to require more than 15 million new teachers by 2030 (Miao et al., 2021).
While AI offers valuable opportunities to support teaching and learning, most African countries still lack clear strategies, policies, and training frameworks to guide its effective integration in education systems (UNESCO, 2023).
This project aims to bridge that gap by developing a foundational, context-sensitive framework to guide the ethical, inclusive, and strategic adoption of AI in secondary education across the continent.
Objectives
To collaboratively develop a strategic reference document that lays the groundwork for understanding, analyzing, and guiding the integration of AI in secondary education systems in Africa.
Expected results
– A comprehensive mapping of existing policies, strategies, and initiatives related to AI integration in secondary education across Africa.
– An evidence-based strategic framework to guide policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in the ethical and inclusive integration of AI into secondary education systems.
– Thematic insights and recommendations developed through collaborative working groups focused on key areas such as pedagogy, teacher training, digital infrastructure, data governance, and ethics.
– Strengthened stakeholder engagement and capacity, through participatory workshops and consultations, fostering a shared understanding and ownership of AI-related educational transformation.
– A validated reference document, co-created with regional and national actors, serving as a practical tool to inform future policy design, investment, and implementation strategies in the education sector.
Impacts
– Policy coherence and innovation across African education systems, fostering alignment with continental agendas such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 in particular).
– Improved quality and relevance of education through more personalized, data-informed, and adaptive learning experiences powered by AI.
– Greater equity in access to educational opportunities, especially for marginalized and underserved communities, by leveraging AI tools to overcome traditional barriers.
– Enhanced teacher capabilities, city and professional development, supporting educators with intelligent tools and that complement and strengthen their instructional roles.
– Strengthened digital readiness and resilience in education systems, ensuring that countries are better equipped to harness emerging technologies responsibly and sustainably.
References
- Miao, F., Holmes, W., Huang, R., & Zhang, H. (2021). AI and Education: Guidance for Policy‑Makers (UNESCO Guidance). UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000388832
- UIS. (2019). Combining data on out‑of‑school children, completion and learning to offer a more comprehensive view on SDG 4 (Information Paper No. 61). UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- UNESCO (2021). AI and Education: Guidance for Policy-makers
- UNESCO. (2023). Global Education Monitoring Report 2023: Technology in education – A tool on whose terms? UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000385723