SINGAPORE – As schools around the world grapple with generative artificial intelligence (AI), Singapore and Estonia can work together to exchange insights on such tools, said Estonia's Minister of Education and Research, Ms Kristina Karas.
“I think both countries are open to AI and want to see the opportunities that exist,” she said on the sidelines of the first international summit on the teaching profession hosted by Singapore.
These include the use of AI as an “assistant” in the assessment and feedback process, as well as in data analysis and personalized learning for students, she said.
In an interview with The Straits Times on April 23, Mr Karas said both countries increasingly felt the need to impart 21st century skills such as analytical thinking and intercultural communication.
“If you read a text or receive a video, whether that information is correct or not, and being able to detect bias in the AI, that's critical thinking, which is really important for the younger generation. They don't have a sense of direction.''They live in a world that is rich in information,'' she added.
“Our students are very good academically, but your students are especially good,” she said. “But Singapore and Estonia have a common challenge compared to many other countries: student resilience and psychological well-being is not as good.”
In the latest edition of the international benchmarking program International Student Assessment Programme, Singapore was ranked first in all categories in reading, mathematics and science.
Estonia is the top performer in Europe, ranking among the top 10 countries in all three Pisa categories.
Mr Karas, who took up his post in April 2023, said education was highly valued in both Singapore and Estonia as “the capital that you need to acquire to succeed in life”.
“We were both very poor, small societies, countries with no natural resources to rely on,” she added.
“We have a 'aim high and work hard' mentality towards education, which is very similar to Singapore. “I need to study, I need to take an exam, I need to take a test.”
But there are also differences because Estonia has a decentralized education system, she said. She said: “The local authorities that run the schools are very autonomous… We also believe that teacher autonomy is very important to success… so teachers make most of the educational decisions.” I have the freedom to.”
Furthermore, she added: “For example, when COVID-19 hit and classrooms were closed… teachers very quickly readjusted their teaching methods because they had the freedom to make decisions and didn't have to wait for someone to tell them what to do. ”
There are approximately 500 schools in Estonia offering basic education from grades 1 to 9. Children begin school at the age of 7 and graduate at the age of 16, taking the national exit examination. They then progress to upper secondary education, where they can choose academic or vocational courses.
“All children in a district attend the same school, so there is no socio-economic discrimination, with the exception of the capital where some schools have the right to choose their children,” Ms. Karas said. , added that he is 94 years old. Percent of children in Estonia attend school within a school district.
