Two-thirds (66%) of secondary school teachers in England reported a decline in students’ basic skills such as writing, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving believed to be due to students’ reliance on artificial intelligence (AI). This is according to data from a poll conducted by the UK’s National Education Union (NEU).
Among the issues reported was a decline in spelling skills as students used voice-to-text features. At the same time, AI was labelled as destroying the meaning of learning as students are now reluctant to think for themselves. The poll also found that 49% of teachers opposed the government’s plan to introduce AI tutors to 450,000 disadvantaged students, with only 14% in favor.
While teachers rejected the use of AI among students, 76% of teachers said they would use AI for daily work, 61% for producing materials and 41% for planning lessons
The use of AI in Malaysia is still in the planning phase. Primary school students in Malaysia will be taught the basics of AI starting in the 2027 school session. Among the modules that will be taught is Digital Fluency, which is one of the seven skills that school students need to master. Meanwhile, the Sarawak government announced last year that it would introduce a training program on the use of AI technology for teachers in the state.
