Only 28 percent of future technology covered in school curriculum

Muscat: Only 28 percent of technologies that will be available to people in future are being taught to students at schools, a researcher in Oman has found out.

In his research, Yasir Al Shuhumi of the Ministry of Education found that even the aspects of future tech taught to students are primarily theoretical in nature with little practical application of actual technologies, which will be important elements of life for the people in the years to come.

He also realised that IT syllabi in schools were not being updated in line with developments and global trends, as around the world there is a tendency to teach students about future tech, and go beyond just teaching the basics.

Al Shuhumi’s project, titled Studying the reality of pioneering education and future technology in school education in the Sultanate of Oman, was awarded under the Young Researcher’s category in the field of Education and Human Resources at the 8th National Research Awards organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MOHERI).

School curricula deficient in applied aspects of tech

“The importance of the study is seen in the vitality and modernity of the subject,” he said. “It is also important to share the realities of pioneering education and future technology in school education in the Sultanate. This research will also assist educational decision-makers in developing the educational system in line with local and international trends in the economic and technological fields to solve and remedy some economic and social problems.

“The study can benefit schools by adding pioneering education in the field of future technology within their plans when designing curricula,” he added. “They will also benefit from the scheme of integrative roles to promote pioneering education in the field of future technology.”

Research conducted by Al Shuhumi pointed to a lack of organised and planned projects and activities involving senior school staff, education specialists and career guidance counsellors when it came to future tech. Furthermore, vocational guidance centres in schools also did not have any current programmes to train and mentor students who are keen on knowing more about future tech.

Objectives of research, and recommendations

To come to his conclusions, Al Shuhumi studied the reality of entrepreneurial education and future technologies in school education in Oman. The main objectives of the study were to analyse the reality of pioneering education and future technology in school education in Oman, study the availability of planned and organised activities and pioneering projects to train students in the field of future technology in Omani schools and study the difficulties of pioneering education in the field of future technology.

“I recommend adopting a clear strategy to include entrepreneurship in the field of future tech in education,” he explained. “It is also important to develop IT curricula in line with global trends, integrate educational activities and vocational guidance to train students in technology not covered in existing curricula.

“Let there also be stronger cooperation between the public and private institutions specialised in the field of IT, to support and enhance education in the field of future tech,” he added, calling for “enhancing of human and material capabilities of schools towards pioneering education in the field of future technology.”