Vanuatu Educators Divided Amid Malapoa College AI Snub: Is ChatGPT Helping or Hurting Students?

Malapoa College doesn’t want AI…but are they disadvantageous to their students in the long run?

Debate Over AI in Education at Malapoa College

A recent decision by Malapoa College Principal Shem Simon to ban the use of ChatGPT on school grounds has ignited a discussion among educators about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, reports the Vanuatu Daily Post. Mr. Simon expressed concerns that AI tools like ChatGPT could compromise the authenticity of student work, making it difficult to assess students’ true abilities and hindering the development of critical thinking skills. He also highlighted the challenge of detecting AI-generated content, which could undermine the integrity of academic assessments.

Diverging Views on AI Tools in Schools

In contrast, Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) Principal Wades Evans acknowledged the potential productivity benefits of AI tools like ChatGPT but cautioned that educators must be vigilant in maintaining academic integrity. While VIT has not imposed a ban, Mr. Evans emphasised the difficulty in monitoring students’ use of AI outside school, where the risk of academic dishonesty increases. The debate at Malapoa College reflects broader concerns within Vanuatu’s education sector regarding the balance between embracing technology and preserving essential cognitive skills.

National Concerns on AI Overreliance

The conversation around AI in education in Vanuatu is not new. In October 2023, Education Minister Christophe Emelee signed a Memorandum banning mobile phones in schools, citing the need to balance technological use with the cultivation of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The Memo underscored that while AI can be a valuable resource, it should not become a substitute for fundamental educational practices, urging that students learn to use AI as a tool rather than a crutch.

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