Africa Education Review

Social Equity in the Era of Smart Education

The rise of smart education environment has broken away from traditional systems and thereby opened advanced avenues to promote social equity on a larger scale. By leveraging from advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT), the systems of education are being turned into more accessible versions that are inclusive of the criteria and adaptive to an ever-demanding set of unique learner needs. Digital platforms permit individuals from demoted communities to access high-quality educational resources, irrespective of geographical location or socio-economic status. Smart classrooms, interactive tools and pathways for individualized learning ensure tailored support for the entire spectrum of learners meeting long overdue gaps in literacy and skill acquisition. Moreover, it also promotes sharing of knowledge and collaboration across countries so that learners from varying socio-economic and cultural backgrounds unite for a common purpose and features include multilingualism, assistive technologies for students with disabilities and low-bandwidth solutions for the hinterlands that create an inclusive ecosystem where nobody is left out.

In addition, data analytics enable educators to analyse learning patterns and respond ahead of time to secure equitable outcomes for all learners. As these innovations permeate society, the focus shifts away from being merely standardized toward being personalized since equity in education is not simply about accessibility but also about enabling individuals to actualize their potential. The era of smart education therefore emphasizes the paradigm shift towards democratized learning, whereby technology becomes a life-bridge rather than a life-barrier. Governments, private sectors and communities are gravitating to ensure that the digital infrastructure, affordable devices and capacity-building programs would be accessible to bring equitable learning opportunities by inculcating creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, smart education represents a means to break the chains of poverty and inequality. Moreover, regard social equity is beyond just an abstract construct but rather work that can plausibly be accomplished by innovations that embed inclusion and fairness at each level of education delivery.

This special issue seeks for knowledge on how emerging technologies are transforming inclusive learning ecosystems. It will showcase advanced methods and ways in which educational access can be achieved and overcome. We invite researchers and practitioners to provide advanced understandings and frameworks for educational context and technological solutions to enhance fair and equitable access.