Punjab government claims, AI became the main subject from class 1 to 12, the first state in the country to do so.

With an aim to bring significant changes in school education, Punjab has become the first state in the country to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a core subject from class 1 to 12. Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) will implement this curriculum in a phased manner under the ‘Sarbat.AI’ project, which is one of the largest state-level AI education missions in the country and positions Punjab as the country’s leading state in the future of education.

Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains along with former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia launched the project in the presence of education experts, technology partners and senior officials of the School Education Department.

Talking on Arvind Kejriwal had done it and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is converting it into ground reality every day.”

Beginning of a new era in education

Addressing the gathering, Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “Today marks the beginning of a new era in the education system of Punjab. Punjab has become the first state in India to include Artificial Intelligence as a core subject from class I to XII. We are moving from leading the Green Revolution to leading the Artificial Intelligence revolution.”

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Equipping students with future skills

He further said, “It will equip students with future skills and also promote innovation, ethical AI, entrepreneurship and responsible digital citizenship. We want every child of Punjab to not only be ready for the jobs of tomorrow, but also to become creators and innovators in a technology-based world.”

Curriculum based on international standards and UNESCO guidelines

The Education Minister said, “The education curriculum has been developed after studying international best practices from Singapore, Finland, UAE and the United States. It is aligned with the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) ethical AI framework to ensure that our students learn responsible, safe and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence based on world-class standards.”

Step-by-step implementation and teaching methodology

Regarding the implementation of this program, Bains said that the first phase will be done from class 8th to 12th, in which AI will be combined with computer science subject in government and recognized private schools. Students will be trained through live online classes, recorded lectures, project-based learning, continuous assessment and a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS). After this, in the second phase, AI education will be included from first to seventh class.

Based on the success of the pilot program

He further said that this program is based on the success of PSEB’s AI pilot program run in collaboration with ‘FA-AI’, which was finalized with a state-level AI hackathon. During this launch event, students’ innovations from the pilot project were also showcased.

Strategic partnerships with global tech giants

The Education Minister further said that technically, the program will be implemented by ‘Neve AI’ and will be strengthened by strategic collaboration with Google, Intel, Canva and ‘FA-AI’ to strengthen AI literacy, capacity building of teachers, innovation and workforce preparedness.

Wider reach: benefiting millions of students and teachers

Bains said that the aim of this initiative is to ensure equal access to AI education for every classroom, every teacher and every student across Punjab. This program will benefit 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students. In the first phase, 12,424 computer science teachers will lead its implementation, while more than 2 lakh teachers across all subjects will be gradually trained to incorporate AI in teaching, learning and assessment.

Appreciation of leadership approach and team

Praising the entire team of Punjab School Education Board and School Education Department, Bains said that this project reflects the vision of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who have shown how the lives of children can be changed with the right approach.

Step from food provider to future skill center

The Education Minister said that countries like China and South Korea have included AI in the primary curriculum, so Punjab has also decided to take the lead. He said, “Today our state ranks first in the country in the field of education. We are moving away from outdated software practices to actually imparting the skills required for the future. We have already equipped our schools with computers, smart panels and the necessary infrastructure. Punjab, once known as the Annadata of the country, will now emerge as the hub of future skills. In the next five to eight years, Punjabis will lead institutions across the world.”

A new standard at the national level

Addressing the gathering, former Delhi education minister and AAP Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia said, “Punjab has created history with the launch of this project and has established itself as a national benchmark for AI education. This initiative reiterates the state’s resolve to prepare students not only to use Artificial Intelligence but also to innovate with it, create with AI and lead in a technology-based future.”

Concern over paper leaks and need for technical improvements

Inaugurating the panel discussion on AI, Manish Sisodia expressed deep concern over the recent paper leak in the country and the protests taking place in the national capital. He stressed the need to strengthen the integrity of the examination through technology-based reforms and strengthened education systems.

Marks will be added on board certificates

PSEB Chairman Dr. Amarpal Singh said that AI is being included as a core part of the existing compulsory computer science curriculum of Punjab. He said that the results of Computer Science subject will now be recorded on the board certificates of the students also. He further said, “The question is not whether AI will shape education, but how we shape it responsibly and with foresight.”

Valuable suggestions by expert panel

The panel included Arjun Bedi from Neev AI, Mati Shweta Khurana from Intel, Hemant Bhalla from Google, Pradeep Jhunjhunwala from Amazon Web Services, Mati Sagari Chatterjee from Canva and Mati Ayushi Anand from FAAI, who suggested measures to strengthen AI education and ensure that there is no bias in the examination.

Presence of other dignitaries in the program

On this occasion, Director School Education (Senior Secondary) S. S. Ball, Director SCERT. Madam Kiran Sharma and other senior officers of the department were also present.

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