Mbah: AI will support teachers, not take their jobs

Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has said that artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies should be seen as tools that help teachers do their jobs better. He believes they are not threats to teachers' jobs.

Mbah spoke on Tuesday at the 59th National Conference of Delegates of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), held in Enugu. He welcomed the delegates and said the theme of the conference, “Deployment of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education Will Erode the Place of Teachers in the Classroom: Myth or Reality?”, was timely. This is because of the fast changes happening due to AI.

He explained that resisting AI is not necessary. He compared AI’s growing role in society to the steam engine during the Industrial Revolution.

Mbah believes that instead of seeing technology as a job thief, it should be used to boost productivity, innovation, and effectiveness in education.

He said, “AI can assist the teacher. It can personalise learning, support lesson preparation, identify learning gaps and expand access to knowledge.

“But it cannot replace the human qualities that make a teacher a teacher, the ability to inspire, to mentor, to understand a child’s individual circumstances, to build character and to kindle ambition.

“The future is therefore not teacher versus technology. The future is teacher with technology.”

The governor also mentioned the need for proper measures to make sure that using AI in education is safe and good for both teachers and students. He pointed out that ethical standards, data protection, responsible regulation, and continuous training for teachers are key steps that should go along with using AI in schools.

Mbah stated that teachers should not be left behind in this tech revolution. Instead, they should be the “main beneficiaries and drivers” of this change. He added that with the right support and training, worries about AI would turn into knowledge and responsible use.

Discussing his government's education policies, Mbah said they have always seen education as a tool for change, not just a normal government task. He noted that in the last 40 months, they have made significant investments in school buildings, technology, curriculum improvement, and teacher support.

Mbah said the state government's efforts to solve teacher shortages are clear. They have recruited 6,850 teachers and other education workers to improve the student-teacher ratio to meet global standards.

He also revealed that education has consistently received 33 percent of the state’s total budget over three budget cycles under his administration. This is more than the 15 to 20 percent recommended by UNESCO.

The governor mentioned the creation of fully equipped, technology-driven Smart Green Schools in all 260 wards of the state. This is part of his government’s plan to prepare children for future challenges.

Mbah believes that a top-notch education system needs a well-trained and motivated teaching staff. He praised Kebbi State Governor, Mohammed Nasir Idris, for his work in education, saying his attendance at the conference shows his dedication to teaching and human development.

He also thanked the NUT National Executive Council for organizing the conference, along with Dr Ronke Shoyombo, the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, for her work in bringing respect and professionalism back to the teaching job.