Good Grades Are Not Enough: Why Every Child Needs Digital Skills-Lekan Dada

Every parent wants one thing—to see their child succeed.

We celebrate good grades, encourage academic excellence, and dream of seeing our children become doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, teachers, architects, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

Education remains one of the greatest investments any parent can make. But today's world is changing faster than ever before. A good education is still essential, but one important question deserves equal attention:

Is your child developing the digital skills they will need to succeed in the future? One message stood out during my session with JSS3 and SS1 students at Valencia College's Career Guidance Week:
“Your dream career is important. Digital skills will help you succeed in it.”

The World Has Changed

Technology is now part of almost every profession. Doctors use AI, lawyers conduct digital research, engineers use design software, teachers use digital classrooms, business owners rely on websites and analytics, and farmers use smart technology.

Technology is no longer the future—it is the present. Our children must prepare accordingly.

What Are Digital Skills?

Digital skills are the ability to confidently use technology to learn, communicate, create, solve problems and work effectively.

Examples include:
• Computer literacy
• Online research
• Digital communication
• Presentation and document creation
• Responsible use of artificial intelligence
• Cyber safety
• Critical thinking using technology

Education and Digital Skills Work Together

This is not about choosing between education and technology.

Education gives children knowledge.
Digital skills help them apply that knowledge.

 

A child who combines strong academics with digital competence will be better prepared for university, entrepreneurship and the workplace.

Will AI Replace Our Children?

One of the most common questions students asked was whether Artificial Intelligence would take their jobs. The answer is simple: AI will not replace people. However, people who know how to use AI effectively may have an advantage over those who do not. AI should support learning—not replace thinking.

What Parents Can Do

• Parents do not need to be technology experts.
• Encourage curiosity.
• Support responsible technology use.
• Introduce children to computers.
• Encourage research and reading.
• Invest in age-appropriate digital skills training.
  
  The earlier children develop these skills, the more confident they become.

Food for thought

The jobs our children will apply for in the future may not even exist today.
That is why digital skills are no longer optional—they are essential.
At DonDada Tech, we believe every child deserves more than good grades. Every child deserves the skills to thrive in a digital world.

"Your dream gives you direction. Education gives you knowledge. Digital skills prepare you for the future."

— Lekan Dada