Chandigarh: Bringed by a strong digital infrastructure, Punjab Govt aims to roll balls for AI pushes in government schools, transform classrooms and to align learning with the latest educational standards.By moving towards AI integration, nations are trying to bridge the gap between traditional education methods and emerging global benchmarks. The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has begun the process of stealing ropes to professionals and created a complete AI ecosystem for students and teachers throughout the state.Officials say the project focuses on developing a class VI to XII grade-by-grade AI curriculum that covers key areas such as AI ethics, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), coding, robotics and data literacy. The curriculum is supported by textbooks, workbooks, project-based activities and interactive digital tools. All of these are available in both English and Punjabi.To ensure that teachers are equipped to provide new materials, the initiative envisages a blended training programme that combines online modules with face-to-face workshops. Training includes both introductory and advanced levels, highlighting modern teaching methods such as project-based and inquiry-driven learning. Teachers will also receive ongoing support upon formal completion through review workshops, online forums, and formal accreditations.This scheme outlines the three-year development in selected schools. The school encourages students to adopt a hands-on, project-oriented approach. They provide access to the software you need, digital platforms, and robust learning management systems (LMS). Additionally, co-curricular activities such as AI hackathons, coding competitions, and science fairs are planned to foster creativity and develop a culture of innovation. The plan also commits to providing continuous mentorship and support in designing and implementing AI projects.Educators believe that by introducing AI into school curricula, it not only provides students with advanced technical skills, but also enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They say the initiative will prepare children for future careers in a rapidly digital world, while strengthening the overall quality of education in government schools.Punjab is seen as a good fit for this leap given the relatively high level of digital infrastructure already present in the school. Of the state's 19,243 government schools, 18,391 are equipped with functional desktop computers or PCs, representing coverage of 95.6%, one of the highest fees in the country, according to Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024-25 data. In contrast, only 31.9% of schools in Haryana and 34.2% of Himachal Pradesh have such facilities. Smart classrooms are also widely available, with Punjab having 17,150 schools, nearly 89.1% of the total education using digital boards, virtual classrooms or smart TVs. The equivalent figures are 42.6% in Haryana and 48.1% in Himachal.Laptop availability remains low, and only 9.8% of government schools in Punjab are equipped, but the state is still ahead of its neighbours. Only 2.1% of schools in Haryana and 1.9% of Himachal have functional laptops or notebooks.
