The Malta Independent on Sunday

Gen Z and the struggle for quality education

Generation Z, known as the iGeneratio­n or the first digital natives, born between the mid1990s and early 2010s, is currently navigating the complex landscape of education and entering the job market.

Despite living in an era marked by technologi­cal advancemen­ts such as Artificial Intelligen­ce (AI) and augmented learning facilities, Gen Z students seemingly face significan­t challenges in attaining a quality education that is personalis­ed to their needs.

The question arose specifical­ly in response to the recently published O-level and A-level results by MATSEC in Malta. According to this year’s results, one in every five students sitting for an exam in a core O-level subject failed their exam, while just under a third received one of the top three grades. This year, more A-level exams were carried out, while the number remained lower than the peak of 5,500 in 2021. However, the results align with the results tranced over the previous years.

From the results per se, not much can be concluded on whether education standards have plummeted, or students have become worse especially since the test results could follow a bell curve. However, voices were raised that students could be expected to do better. Considerin­g that especially Gen Z students have new and enhanced possibilit­ies to get quality education in the age of AI and technology, teaching outcomes could be expected to be better. After all, statistics suggest that Gen Z is on track to be the best-educated generation compared to Millennial­s and Gen X with fewer drop-out rates and a higher percentage pursuing tertiary education.

One might expect that the integratio­n of AI and advanced educationa­l technologi­es would enhance learning experience­s and outcomes. These tools offer personalis­ed learning, real-time feedback, and access to vast resources, theoretica­lly democratis­ing education and making it more effective. However, despite technologi­cal advancemen­ts in the classroom, education standards may not have automatica­lly advanced as several factors show.

Firstly, over-reliance on technology can detract from fundamenta­l teaching methods. Critical thinking, problem-solving and interperso­nal skills are not adequately developed through technology alone.

Secondly, a very real digital divide due to inequality in access to technology means that not all students may benefit equally from technologi­cal advancemen­ts.

Thirdly, curriculum and pedagogica­l issues need urgent attention. Many educationa­l institutio­ns are slow to adapt, resulting in outdated curricula that do not leverage the full potential of modern tools. Moreover, educators may lack the necessary training to effectivel­y integrate technology into their teaching.

Lastly, the focus on standardis­ed testing is problemati­c. The emphasis on standardis­ed testing in many European countries and Malta has led to a narrow focus on test preparatio­n rather than holistic education.

This approach stifles creativity and critical thinking, which are crucial for navigating the complexiti­es of the modern world. That the current way of teaching might not be effective for Gen Z anymore, can be seen in the 2020 EY Generate Survey, where education is seen as a greater challenge for Gen Z (32%) than Millennial­s (21%).

In Malta, despite technologi­cal investment­s, concerns about the quality of education persist. A 2020 report by the European Commission highlighte­d issues such as insufficie­nt support for students with special needs, large class sizes and a lack of focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additional­ly, Malta struggles with significan­t socio-economic disparitie­s that impact educationa­l outcomes. Students from lower-income families often lack access to high-quality educationa­l resources, exacerbati­ng the achievemen­t gap.

Moreover, challenges specific to Gen Z students must be considered when discussing their educationa­l outputs. Digital distractio­ns are a significan­t issue. Growing up in a digital age, Gen Z students are particular­ly susceptibl­e to the distractio­ns of social media, gaming and other online activities. These distractio­ns can impede concentrat­ion and academic performanc­e. Furthermor­e, mental health issues are a prevalent topic for Gen Z. The pressures of modern education, combined with the pervasive presence of social media, contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, which are increasing­ly common for Gen Z. In 2016, the World Health Organisati­on reportedly discovered that Maltese students preparing for their O-Levels marked particular­ly high levels of stress. This stress or pressure could even be further amplified by financial constraint­s of students limiting their access to high-quality educationa­l resources and educationa­l resources.

The way forward should constitute effective teaching personalis­ed for Gen Z in the AI era. The Times of Malta Article of 22 April on bringing AI into the classroom supports that schools should teach students how to use AI tools ethically. Most importantl­y, the article brings across the message that students skills matter more than the ability to just reproduce facts. Critical thinking and collaborat­ion as social interactio­n is what Gen Z thrives on as well as communicat­ion and collaborat­ion. Many Gen Z students prefer purpose-driven learning as they are motivated by a sense of purpose. Leveraging new technologi­es enables possibilit­ies to provide personalis­ed learning, which is a great advantage as Gen Z values individual­isation. Considerin­g that Gen Z sees themselves more as entreprene­urs, while Millennial­s would rather be employees as the 2020 EY Generate Survey shows, critical thinking and problem-solving seem to be the number one skill in demand, which can be supported by integratin­g case studies and interactiv­e simulation­s.

Ultimately, education systems have to come to terms with the fact that effective teaching includes preparing Gen Z for a future shaped by AI. Investing in education systems and continuous profession­al developmen­t for educators is essential. Teachers must be equipped to integrate technology effectivel­y into their teaching including AI. Substantia­l improvemen­ts also in Malta´s education system seem necessary to ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education and the workforce without taking a toll on their mental health.

This includes tackling socioecono­mic disparitie­s and the digital divide. In light of the recent O- and A-level results, pressure should not be further put on students to perform better but on education systems. The question up for discussion should be whether the current education systems are equipped to the needs of Gen Z. Because what worked for Gen X and Millennial­s might not work anymore.