South Africa urged to combine AI with social support for schoolchildren — TimesLIVE
In South Africa, artificial intelligence can help schools identify students at risk of dropping out earlier, but technological signals alone are insufficient without access to social support. TimesLIVE reports.
Willem Ketsgoff, CEO of education technology company d6 Group, noted that students do not usually leave school suddenly. Signs of risk may include worsening attendance, declining grades and a gradual loss of interest in learning. Schools already collect the necessary data in attendance records, academic results, behaviour and daily interactions with students, but teachers, especially in large classes, often lack the time to compare these signals.
AI as an early-response tool
According to Ketsgoff, algorithms can analyse changes in academic performance and attendance, as well as draw attention to students who have begun missing classes frequently. Technology can also facilitate communication between the school and parents or guardians through existing communication platforms to discuss the problem earlier.
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At the same time, Ketsgoff stressed that an AI alert should be a reason for a conversation, not a final conclusion about a child. He emphasised that the system can detect a change in indicators but cannot establish its cause. A student may miss school because of hunger, bullying, transport difficulties, illness in the family or the loss of a job by one of their parents.
The need for assistance and information
Ketsgoff warned that technology can deepen inequality if it is developed only for schools with fast internet, expensive devices and dedicated IT specialists. In his view, schools need not only digital tools but also access to psychologists, social workers, nutrition programmes and the ability to contact a student's family.
Notando Magagula, head of AI at Standard Bank, also stated that data analysis must take children's life circumstances into account. She added that young people need better information about future professions and skills that will be in demand as the labour market changes. Summer Clifford Kotze, a representative of JC brand, believes that businesses can introduce teenagers to different professions, workplaces and examples of people from similar communities who have achieved success.
