5 Ways Parents see the Future of Education
Helping every child thrive through personalised, flexible, and empowering learning
As the landscape of education rapidly evolves, more parents are turning to supplementary learning tools to ensure their children thrive academically and personally. Through a series of one-on-one interviews with parents, five powerful themes emerged. These insights not only reflect the challenges parents face today but also point toward what the next generation of learning platforms must deliver.
1. Personalisation is non-negotiable
One of the strongest takeaways from our research is that parents feel the current education system often doesn’t cater to their child’s unique needs. The demand for personalisation came up in almost every conversation. Parents want platforms that adapt to their child’s strengths, weaknesses, and pace of learning - ensuring that no child is left behind and no child is held back.
This was especially true for families with neurodiverse learners, such as children with ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. Many parents shared that traditional teaching methods leave their children feeling frustrated or disengaged, which can impact both academic outcomes and self-esteem. They expressed a desire for tools that can provide multiple pathways to understanding, including audio aids, visual aids and interactive content. By tailoring learning experiences to individual needs, supplementary education platforms can not only boost results but also build confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
2. AI can unlock new opportunities
Artificial intelligence is a topic parents are curious and hopeful about. Many see its potential to transform the way their children learn. They imagine a tool that can identify knowledge gaps instantly, recommend topics and exercises in real time, and adapt lessons to a child’s unique learning style. Parents talked about how AI could become like a personal coach - always there, always ready, and always patient.
One idea that particularly excited parents was voice interaction with AI platforms. Instead of just reading instructions on a screen, what if children could talk to their learning companion, ask questions in their own words, and receive explanations that feel natural and conversational. For younger learners especially, this kind of interaction could make learning more intuitive and less intimidating, almost like having a friendly teacher in the room whenever they need help.
Parents also shared that AI could relieve a pressure point they often feel: not knowing exactly how to best support their child at home. With AI-driven insights, recommendations, and even voice-based guidance, they would feel more equipped to guide their child’s learning without needing to become the tutor themselves. For families, the hope is that AI will make quality, individualised learning accessible to every child, not just those who can afford private tutoring.
3. Convenience and Flexibility drive adoption
Modern families are busier than ever, and one of the strongest themes from our interviews was the need for flexibility. Parents described balancing school schedules, extracurricular activities, and family commitments, often leaving little time for structured tutoring. As a result, they want supplementary platforms that fit seamlessly into their daily lives rather than adding another source of stress.
Features like self-paced modules, mobile-friendly lessons, and the ability to learn anytime and anywhere were frequently highlighted. Parents also valued the option to adjust lesson length, from short, bite-sized sessions on busy days to longer deep dives when time allows. For many, this flexibility was not just a convenience but a necessity for maintaining balance in the household. The platforms that win parent loyalty will be those that allow learning to happen on the family’s terms, not the other way around.
4. Engagement must go beyond the Textbook
It was clear that parents want learning to be more than just rote memorisation. Many expressed frustration that their children often find school boring or unmotivating. The desire for supplementary platforms to spark curiosity and make learning enjoyable was universal.
Gamification came up repeatedly - parents shared that integrating gaming elements to a learning platform could help engage their children more, especially if their friends were using it as well. Others pointed to the value of interactive problem-solving and real-world applications that show how academic concepts are useful outside the classroom.
Importantly, while many parents highlighted the importance of staying aligned with the school curriculum, they want learning platforms to go a step further. They’re looking for learning that incorporates practical life skills, such as money management, digital literacy, and teamwork, which they feel are often missing in traditional schooling. Parents believe that blending core academic subjects with these real-world skills not only prepares children for exams but also equips them to navigate life more confidently.
The message was clear: when learning combines curriculum mastery with practical knowledge, children are both more engaged and better prepared for the future.
5. Seeing progress builds confidence
Parents want reassurance that their efforts, and their child’s efforts, are paying off. That’s why progress tracking was one of the most frequently mentioned needs. They don’t just want to know whether their child got today’s questions right; they want to see a bigger picture: how skills are building over time, where their child is excelling, and where extra help might be needed.
A common frustration parents shared is only finding out about a problem too long after it’s already taken place. That’s why real-time updates are so important. Instead of waiting for a test result weeks later or the School report card, parents want immediate insights into how their child is doing - the moment they finish a lesson or even while they’re still working on it. This kind of instant feedback helps families step in quickly with encouragement or extra support before challenges turn into setbacks.
Detailed dashboards, progress notifications, and easy-to-understand reports give parents confidence that their child is on the right track. They also make it easier to celebrate wins along the way, whether that’s mastering multiplication tables or finally cracking a tricky essay.
Closing Thoughts
The message from parents is clear: they’re not just looking for more content, they’re looking for learning that truly works for their child. That means education that is personalised, powered by smart technology like AI, flexible enough to fit into everyday life, deeply engaging, and backed by meaningful, real-time feedback.
Ultimately, families want their children to feel confident, curious, and supported — not just prepared for the next test, but equipped for a lifelong love of learning. The challenge is to create a seamless experience that brings all of this to life — and the opportunity is truly transformative.