Tajikistan plans to introduce the basics of artificial intelligence into the general school curriculum as part of a new cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Science and the company zypl.ai.
The ministry and zypl.ai signed a memorandum of cooperation on the development of AI in education on July 7 during a meeting between Homid Hoshimizoda, First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, and representatives of the company.
The ministry said stakeholders discussed introducing AI fundamentals into general education, developing curricula, textbooks and methodological guides, training teachers and promoting the responsible use of digital technologies in schools.
Under this collaboration, a model curriculum for AI will be created, along with textbooks, methodological recommendations, practical workbooks, digital teaching materials, lesson plans, and assessment criteria.
Training courses for teachers and students and the preparation of trainers to help introduce the subject in schools are also planned.
The ministry said that teaching materials should be developed in the national language and include simple and clear examples related to the daily life of Tajik students.
Special attention will be paid to the protection of children’s rights, information security, personal data, copyright, transparency and the appropriate use of AI in educational settings.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Education and Science developed a curriculum titled “Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence” for students from grades 5 to 11.
The issue was discussed in June with representatives of the ministry, UNICEF, the Global Education Partnership, the EdTech Hub and digital technology experts.
Participants were presented with the results of research conducted under the Tech4Ed initiative, which focuses on the development of school AI programs. They also discussed international experiences in artificial intelligence education, the current state of digital education in Tajikistan, and possible ways to introduce new courses in schools.
Professor Hosimzoda emphasized the importance of developing students’ digital skills and preparing them for the demands of the modern technological world.
