In a quiet corner of Northwestern Province, one school is redefining what it means to be a global citizen in the age of artificial intelligence, whilst staying true to its cultural roots and principles of harmonious living together with nature... 

‘Prepare your children, not for your world, but for the one they will inherit.’ This simple mantra has guided the unique approach taken at Trident College Solwezi to integrating Artificial Intelligence tools in the classroom setting. Through the implementation of our Bring Your Own Device Policy, each child is encouraged to embrace digital literacy and harness the extraordinary power of A.I. to supercharge their personal learning journey. The use of tools such as ChatGPT, together with focused teaching of its effective management and responsible use, has enabled pupils to utilise the world-famous A.I. engine as a personalised tutor: testing knowledge retention, supporting student-led inquiry, and formulating reading lists to develop core knowledge in their subject studies. Additionally, tools such as Magic School have revolutionised teachers’ pedagogical approaches, freeing up more time for the individual interactions with their pupils that characterise quality learning environments. 

Additionally, when paired with innovative approaches to curriculum—such as our Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) programme, a first in Zambia and possibly Southern Africa, which allows pupils to hyper-personalise their learning in real-world contexts—and our evolving interdisciplinary units, which break down the silos of secondary education to encourage a more heuristic approach to knowledge acquisition, A.I. becomes an extraordinary vehicle for child-centred learning experiences, with the teacher as the mentor and facilitator. Such independent capacity for lifelong learning will be the benchmark of success in a rapidly changing job market, where professionals have to accept they are no longer ‘the smartest person in the room.’ 

Of course, as the world moves to an A.I.-driven economy, there are key skills humans possess that will become increasingly in demand. Critical thinking, empathy, communication, and literacy—and the ability to lead teams of people towards a common purpose—will become the primary skills sought by employers. At Trident College, while we do not fear the future, we believe that these soft skills can only be developed as part of a caring, supportive community of the type which embodies traditional Zambian values. Our ‘whole-child’ pastoral support system, in which age/stage-specialised tutors monitor every aspect of your child’s journey at Trident College, together with our teams of highly trained boarding staff, ensures that they are continually supported and motivated in their personal growth. A culture of service is embedded within the school, serving both the school and local communities, which teaches our pupils humility, a spirit of giving to others, and the understanding that their success is rooted in the societal and familial values that formed them. Every year group undertakes a carefully planned and purposeful camp experience, developing their leadership potential and readying them to be leaders in their chosen careers beyond Trident, driving towards the goals of the 8th Zambian National Development Plan (2022-2026). We do not want our alumni to simply survive when they leave the college—they must be ready to thrive as leaders of industry and global citizens, rooted in a strong sense of identity and community-minded achievement. 

Though the world may seem inexorably drawn to technology, we believe balance is the key to healthy, happy lives. While we embrace the digital world within the classroom, we carefully balance our pupils’ development with extraordinary experiences in the natural world beyond it. Set in expansive grounds on the edge of a 50-square-kilometre game reserve, our world-class sporting programme fosters elite athletes, and our outdoor education programme ensures that every child feels a deep connection with the natural world. From the ‘Head’s Hike’ to ‘Breakfast in the Bush’, from our mountain biking club to the Kansanshi marathon, your child will never be stuck behind a screen for too long. With over a quarter of the school now actively engaged in the world-renowned Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the number of pupils achieving the prestigious Gold Award year-on-year is ever increasing, and there are endless opportunities for them to engage with, celebrate, and fall in love with the unique ecology of Zambia over and over again. 

When one thinks of the future and a world of A.I., it is only natural to fear change. But in the timeless words of Joe Vitale, ‘You don’t fear change—you fear the unknown. If you knew the future would be great, you’d welcome the change to get there. Well, the future IS great. Proceed.’ At Trident College, the future is now, and we can’t wait to share it with you.