Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into the classroom of the Angra Pequena Senior Secondary School in Luderitz, where learners now have access to an AI-powered tutor programme.
The Governor of ||Kharas, Dawid Gertze, officially launched the school's AI tutoring laboratory at the ceremony held in Luderitz.
A Namibian-based educational technology company, YYeni AI, developed an AI tutoring programme being used in the school's laboratory.
The first of its kind, the AI tutoring laboratory aims to improve learner performance outcomes.
Governor Gertze described the AI tutoring programme as a human capital engine built to redefine teaching.
"This AI laboratory bridges the gap between classroom learning and the frontier of modern industry. It equips our learners with the computational thinking, problem-solving and digital fluency required to compete globally. As our regional educational results continue their upward trajectory, this facility provides the momentum to push our schools to unprecedented heights."
The CEO of YYeni A, Vitalis Haupindi, stressed the AI-powered tutoring programme was not being introduced to replace teachers.
"So what we are able to do with technology today is to be able to assist the teacher and assess the learner. Where is that the learners don't understand? And then give them that correction lesson? And then you do that again and over and over until the learner understands without the teacher marking a lot of papers. So, that is only possible through artificial intelligence; it was impossible a few years ago."
An oil and gas company, BW Kudu and NamPort, funded the AI-tutoring laboratory for one of N$1,5 million.
General Manager at BW Kudu, Manfriedt Muundjua, said, "You were looking to improve learning outcomes and how to support teachers, not replace them. I think that is one of the fears. Work alongside teachers and provide access to education. So, I saw it was practical, measurable and scalable."
"Let us try to join forces and do impactful contributions to our community because the future belongs to our learners," stressed NamPort Marketing Specialist Cecil Kamupingene.
YYeni AI plans to extend its AI tutoring programme to schools in all 14 regions by 2030.