According to research from Citizens School, 69 percent of parents from Dubai and UAE believe that AI and VR will have the largest impact on their children’s future. Also, 54 percent thinks cryptocurrency and the metaverse will have an impact on their children. Digital literacy is therefore critical for children to learn, says 87 percent of the parents. However, children should also develop creative thinking, mental wellbeing, and confidence.
The Citizens School interviewed 1,200 parents from the United Arab Emirates for ‘The Future of Learning’ report. The research focused on how these parents perceive the quality of education and which trends will impact their children’s future the most. Apart from the results from the survey, the researchers focused on the history of education, global trends and the role of the UAE government looking towards the future.
UAE parents say that digital literacy is critical
According to the study, the parents belief that digital literacy (87%), resilience (84%), and entrepreneurship (84%) are critical in the future of children. When it comes to leading technology, 69% of the parents believe that artificial intelligence, and virtual reality will have the largest impact on the children’s future, followed by cryptocurrency and the metaverse (54%).
“As the sum of human learning expands, the means of imparting this knowledge requires educators to re-imagine the traditional and challenge the conventional by giving children choices to explore themes, expand interests and discover new technologies to determine the routes they want to take to reach their full potential,” Dr. Adil Al Zarooni, Founder, Citizens School Dubai, said.
More focus on resilience, inclusivity and entrepreneurship
The study also suggests that schools should focus on resilience, inclusivity, and entrepreneurship to better prepare children for the future, especially since 40% will probably be either self-employed or entrepreneurs to generate any income. “The current education system focuses on one pathway, the examination which is essentially a transfer of information from teacher to student. This model needs to evolve,” said Hisham Hodroge, Chief Executive Officer, Citizens School Dubai.
According to Hodroge, the model required a different learning philosophy aimed at enhancing the quality of life by a building future-ready mindset. This mindset will help children to be ready to seize opportunities, to lead change, to understand that success and failure are necessary for personal growth. This means that outcomes no longer can be summed up in a report card but should better equip children.
