Chandigarh, September 28 – Punjab has announced a major curriculum refresh, introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital design, and agri-tech modules for students from Classes VI to XII.
The reform aims to move beyond rote learning towards hands-on, problem-solving education. Officials said teacher training and project-based learning will be central to the rollout, with targets to upskill tens of thousands of teachers in AI.
Curriculum pilots are already embedding data literacy, coding, and digital ethics in age-appropriate formats. Neighboring states have also begun phase-wise AI introductions, often starting at Class IX before scaling up to higher levels.
For parents, the focus is twofold: ensure safe device access and guided use of AI tools, while also balancing math and language foundations with new-age digital skills.
Schools, however, face execution challenges. Key hurdles include teacher capacity, hardware availability in labs, and assessment methods that can reward original work rather than copy-paste outputs from AI systems.
Officials say the coming years will see more capstone projects, community problem-solving modules, and interdisciplinary showcases as boards refine their approach. Experts advise STEM-focused students to begin building digital portfolios—low-code apps, GitHub repositories, or data notebooks—to showcase skills during future admissions.
The initiative places Punjab among the first states to institutionalise AI learning at the school level, signalling a significant step in aligning classrooms with India’s evolving digital economy.