Perception of Educators towards the Adoption of Education 5.0: A Case of a State University in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study was an exploration of educators’ perceptions towards the adoption of Education 5.0 which was conducted at a state University in Zimbabwe. Education 5.0 is a new curriculum reform that would need a buy-in of educators for possible smooth implementation. The study revealed that educators perceived Education 5.0 as a helpful and more beneficial to the education system than the preceding Education 3.0 although they bemoaned lack of infrastructure and financial resources for proper implementation. The study recommended that the University administrators should source funding from business partners and banks to build physical infrastructures such as industrial parks and innovation hubs to support Education 5.0 adoption. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development conduct seminars with educators to address sticky issues regarding Education 5.0, since educators are directly involved in its implementation.

Post-Pandemic of Covid-19 and the Need for Transforming Education 5.0 in Afghanistan Higher Education

“…Students are large consumers of information resources that are delivered to them, and although they may engage in activities based around those resources. Those activities are for the most part undertaken in isolation or isolated local groups (Rumbidzai, 2020). As the result, these activities contribute back to the information resources that students consume in carrying them out.…”

“…It is self-directed and interest-based learning where problem-solving, innovation, and creativity drive education are valued. Indeed, Education 4.0 is a response to the needs of IR 4.0 where humans and technology are aligned to enable new possibilities (Rumbidzai et al, 2020). Fisk (2017) also explained that the new vision of learning promotes learners to learn not only skills and knowledge that are needed but also to identify the source to learn these skills and knowledge.…”

“…Indeed, Education 5.0 is the response for ICT, AI, and biotechnology. According to Rumbidzai & Maupa (2020), Education 5.0 is a new curriculum reform that would need the buy-in of educators for possible smooth implementation. There is also some requirements for transformation of the fifth generation of education (Education 0.5).…”

“…Nationalwide lockdowns and new norms of social distancing have motivated scholars and universities towards acquiring new skills. According to Rumbidzai & Maupa (2020), Education 5.0 focuses on five pillars which are Research, Teaching, Community Service, Innovation, and Industrialization.…”

“…Therefore, students who are learning through Education 1.0 are not capable to Education 5.0 platforms. According to Rumbidzai & Maupa (2020), Education 5.0 is beyond the ongoing educational practices of all periods. Indeed, Education 5.0 is the redefinition of the curriculum as a whole and transformation of a smartcurriculum that fulfills the needs of 21st-century learners based on the innovative content of AI and ICT to provide learners for learning smart and working smart.…”