Fiji must reform its education system to equip students with creative thinking skills to meet the inevitable challenges posed by artificial intelligence and automation.
This was the message delivered by Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) board member Arvind Maharaj at the Education Forum yesterday, where he addressed the critical role the private sector could play in reshaping education for the future.
Mr Maharaj warned that the rapid global uptake of AI, robotics and human-machine development (HMD) would soon affect Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, and result in the disappearance of many traditional and monotonous job roles.
“We cannot assume that Fiji will be spared,” Mr Maharaj said.
“A lot of these monotonous jobs will disappear.
“For example, someone answering a phone, a receptionist, or answering simple questions, they will disappear.
“Even in the law fraternity or basic accounting, a lot of things will be done by AI.”
Mr Maharaj said education should shift its focus from content-based learning to cultivating innovation, entrepreneurship and critical thinking.
“The teaching methodology needs to change.
“We will not be teaching content because a four-year-old will give you any answer you want. Teachers need to be smarter than what the student already knows.”
He challenged educators and policymakers to consider the broader purpose of education and what it is preparing students for.
