Scaling education in emerging markets to participate in industry 4.0

A modern bottom-up approach to decentralizing education through information and communication technology (ICT) can have distinct advantages in expanding, replicating and adapting (scaling) education. Learners benefit from this approach through garnering not only knowledge and information, but also skills development in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). However, the challenges faced by emerging markets (interchangeably referred to as developing countries) are vastly different when compared to developed countries. Adoption and progress are significantly slower in these regions. A decentralized education system is a precursor for a decentralized industry, one of the primary characteristics of Industry 4.0. The unique challenges in the developing world are often overlooked and as a result socioeconomic growth is stifled and sustainability is threatened. In this research, the challenges and limitations that emerging markets are experiencing are identified, and a specific approach to scaling education through ICT is reviewed. The advantages of scaled and decentralized education are also acknowledged, and the re-evaluation of policies governing learners and educators in developing countries presented.