Empowering Underprivileged Youth through Transformative Learning

Kim Rihal, Co-founder & CO-CEO – Head of Partnerships at Equal Education

Kim Rihal, Co-founder & CO-CEO – Head of Partnerships at Equal Education

Kim Rihal, Co-founder & CO-CEO of Equal Education, brings expertise in education leadership and business development. With rich experience working with virtual schools and handling impactful roles at Social Business Trust and Power2, she is committed to enhancing education for vulnerable students. Known for her innovative projects and outstanding achievements, Kim has designed a bespoke curriculum, secured new clients, and provided training for 1,500 tutors at Equal Education.

Can you briefly outline the roles and responsibilities in your professional background that have led you to become the co-founder and co-CEO of Equal Education?

In my diverse roles, from Virtual School Head Teacher to CEO, I earned recognition as Ernst and Young's Winning Women in 2019 and a future leader in education by the Mayor of London. As a Trustee of Social Business Trust, I contribute to connecting business professionals with impactful causes. Being in the top 100 women in social enterprise and receiving the Social Business Leader of the Year award highlights my commitment.

As CEO, I juggle various responsibilities, from profit and loss to leading both finance and partnerships teams. I emphasize building relationships with local authorities, government officials, and school leaders. I prefer using terms like "underprivileged" instead of "vulnerable" to frame conversations positively. I also ensure the team’s support in recruitment, tutor and student allocation, and handling safeguarding queries for effective education and proper safeguarding of the students we serve.

As a specialist in personalized learning for underprivileged pupils, what challenges have you encountered in implementing these programs?

One significant challenge in implementing personalized learning for underprivileged pupils is the impact of attachment and trauma, hindering trust in adults, especially those who previously experienced rejection. Ensuring access to essential resources like Wi-Fi and devices proves challenging in today's AI-driven world. We are transitioning from traditional education focused on reading, writing, and arithmetic to an era where creativity and coding have become the new language. Navigating these complexities is essential for inclusive education.

“When implemented in a controlled and safe manner, AI has the potential to transform education, providing scalable solutions and making a remarkable impact on addressing various challenges.”

Our focus revolves around nurturing relationships and building trust with tutors, enabling effective engagement in various subjects. We prioritize robust safeguarding procedures for educational quality and safety, emphasizing a collaborative village approach where the entire support network around the child recognizes the benefits rather than relying on one individual championing the cause.

Can you provide insights into the current trend of integrating AI into educational practices, specifically focusing on stress reduction techniques for children?

The integration of AI into education holds great promise, particularly in addressing children's mental health concerns, intensified by factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. While AI supports learning and offers early diagnostic capabilities, caution is paramount, especially when dealing with anxious children who require medical intervention. There is early evidence of chatbots delivering elements of cognitive behavioural therapy to alleviate stress, particularly related to exams. Despite being in an early stage, the exploration of AI in mental health and education is underway, requiring careful consideration and extensive research. When implemented in a controlled and safe manner, AI has the potential to transform education, providing scalable solutions and making a remarkable impact on addressing various challenges.

How does adaptive learning improve the educational experience, particularly for underprivileged children?

Examining the diverse needs of children, particularly those with autism, across various spectrums, such as communication, social interaction, planning, problem-solving, and sensory processing, is crucial. Closely observing their interaction with adaptive processes enables tailored interventions and transformative learning experiences. However, accurately assessing individual baselines is a critical concern, recognizing the limitations of a one-size-fits-all model. AI is vital here, utilizing accumulated data to refine learning approaches over time. Yet, the challenge persists in addressing emotional regulation, especially in children with autism exhibiting heightened cortical levels.

What trends will drive the industry's evolution in the next few years?

I'm thrilled about the future of personalized learning, emphasizing real-world scenarios and fostering problem-solving and creative skills. This shapes future entrepreneurs and innovators and prepares children for non-traditional careers influenced by AI. With children gaining more access to AI technology, there's potential for enhanced creativity and innovation. Considering the rapidly evolving job market, providing children with early exposure to skills like computer programming becomes crucial. It's an exciting time for kids aged eight to ten as their brains develop, paving the way for a future filled with possibilities.

What advice would you like to impart to fellow senior leaders and CXOs in your industry?

In the world of AI, we need to embrace the unknown. Yes, it's new, and there are safety concerns, but if we make it a priority, plan carefully, and ensure it's done safely, it can be significant. Regular check-ins and active team listening are crucial to see how it's working and to make sure everyone is on board. We should be open to the unknown and not afraid to fail because, as someone wise once said, failure is the first step to success.