Digital Promise blog by SchoolNet SA – Teachers First: Building AI Practices That Work in South Africa
At SchoolNet South Africa, we have always believed that the heart of digital transformation isn’t the hardware in the room—it’s the educator at the front of it.
Recently, our Executive Director, Omashani Naidoo, was featured on the global Digital Promise platform to share our unique South African perspective on Artificial Intelligence in education. In her article, “Teachers First: Building AI Practices That Work in South Africa,” she explores a question we face every day: How do we ensure that AI becomes a tool for equity rather than a driver of further inequality?
While global headlines buzz with high-tech AI tutors, many of our local classrooms face the daily realities of load shedding, data constraints, and limited devices. Omashani highlights this “innovation paradox”—where the push for cutting-edge tech risks leaving “forgotten classrooms” even further behind.
Our approach at SchoolNet SA remains clear: Contextual Innovation. We don’t wait for perfect infrastructure; we design for the reality of South African schools today.
The article provides a roadmap for how educators can harness AI right now, regardless of their school’s resource level:
Low-Tech Innovation: Using AI to generate offline resources (worksheets, multilingual stories) that can be shared via USB, Bluetooth, or printed booklets.
Leveraging Mobile: Using ubiquitous platforms like WhatsApp for AI-generated math puzzles or vocabulary quizzes.
Design for Disruption: Adopting “asynchronous” workflows—planning for the moments when the power or internet inevitably goes out.
As Omashani writes, “AI is a tool for educators, not a replacement.” By using AI to handle time-consuming administrative tasks and lesson prep, we free up our teachers to do what they do best: mentorship, inspiration, and human connection.
We are incredibly proud to see SchoolNet’s grassroots experience being shared on a global stage. This feature is a testament to the incredible creativity and resilience of South African educators who innovate under constraint every single day.
“The future of AI in our classrooms needs to be shaped in staff rooms, professional learning communities, and everyday teaching moments.” — Omashani Naidoo
Read the full feature on Digital Promise – Teachers First: Building AI Practices That Work in South Africa
Teachers First: Building AI Practices That Work in South Africa
