Chandigarh, Sept. 30 – Punjab has launched a sweeping initiative to bring Artificial Intelligence (AI) into government school education, a move Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann described as “a step to prepare children for a digital world where they can become job creators, not just job seekers.”
The program, backed by one of India’s strongest digital infrastructures, will introduce AI-based learning in Classes 6 to 12 through a new curriculum being developed by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). It will cover AI ethics, robotics, coding, data literacy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with content offered in both Punjabi and English. Learning will go beyond textbooks, using project-based assignments, workbooks, and digital tools, as well as hackathons, coding contests, and science fairs.
Officials said nearly 10,000 teachers are undergoing blended training combining online courses with in-person workshops. The program includes both basic and advanced modules and emphasizes project- and inquiry-based teaching. Teachers will also receive certificates and refresher courses. “We want our educators to guide students in learning by doing, not just reading,” an education department spokesperson said.
Punjab’s readiness for the shift is reflected in national data. Out of 19,243 government schools, 18,391 (95.6%) have working computers—well above the 31.9% in Haryana and 34.2% in Himachal Pradesh, according to Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024–25 figures. Nearly 17,150 schools (89.1%) are equipped with smart classrooms, compared with 42.6% in Haryana and 48.1% in Himachal. Laptop access is also higher at 9.8%, against 2.1% and 1.9% in the neighboring states.
The government said the rollout will take place over three years, with selected schools adopting the project-based modules first. Students will be given access to software, learning platforms, and digital management systems.
Mann said the effort is intended to sharpen problem-solving and creativity among students. “The goal is to build a generation that can create opportunities for others and help Punjab take its rightful place on the global stage,” he said.
The government added that the initiative reflects its broader approach to governance—combining technology with transparency. Officials said the vision extends beyond physical infrastructure such as roads and buildings. “This is about empowering youth with the skills and mindset to drive Punjab into the future,” an official noted.
