There was great excitement at Ekuthuthukeni Secondary School when IRIS arrived, bringing a glimpse of the future of education to pupils who often have limited access to the latest learning technology.

Developed by KwaZulu-Natal innovator Dr Bonisiwe ‘Thandoh’ Gumede through BSG Technologies, IRIS is designed to support educators and learners from Grade R through to tertiary level.

Breaking down language barriers

The robot can communicate in all 11 official South African languages, as well as other languages, making it more accessible to learners from diverse backgrounds.

At Ekuthuthukeni, IRIS is helping address some of the challenges faced by the school, including overcrowding, while supporting teachers and learners with teaching, revision and assessment.

The technology can also assist with marking and compiling student reports, potentially easing some of the administrative pressure on educators.

For learners, the arrival of IRIS represents more than a technological novelty. It offers an opportunity to interact with new educational tools and experience how artificial intelligence can be used to support learning.

The initiative also highlights the growing role of locally developed technology in addressing challenges within South Africa’s education system.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and on our Whats Up Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6TezkADTOJIPNmvO3u or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za.