12K kids to be taught AI, coding in Karnal
In a major step towards promoting technological competency among students, the district administration has prepared a schedule to train about 12,000 students in artificial intelligence (AI) and coding.
This initiative is in line with the recommendations of National Education Policy (2020), under which each student is required to attend an hour-per-week AI and coding class. Authorities claimed that Karnal was the first district in the state to adopt this step.
As a pilot project, this step is being initiated in 29 government schools — 11 government model sanskriti schools and 18 PM-Shri government senior secondary schools — of the district.
So far, 11,967 students of classes VI-IX and XI have been registered for the classes.
Board classes (X and XII) had been excluded from the project as the exams for these classes were approaching, said Deepak Verma, District Science Specialist. Officials said the programme, which aims to equip students with essential digital skills and prepare them for future technological advancements, began on February 3. Teachers of these schools have been instructed to incorporate the training sessions into their weekly timetables.
Five to seven courses have been identified for students, each taking around three hours to complete.
Each student will be allotted one hour per week for one course and will also be given assignments, he said.
District Education Officer Sudesh Thakral said the classes would enhance students' problem-solving abilities and strengthen their innovation skills at an early stage.
“This initiative will help students gain hands-on experience in AI and coding, enabling them to stay ahead in the competitive world of technology,” she added.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Yash Jaluka, the brains behind the initiative, said the goal of the classes was to provide advanced facilities to help students compete with counterparts at all stages.
“We will ensure high-quality training for the students, for which computer teachers and other teachers have been instructed to go through these courses,” he added.
As a pilot initiative, these 29 schools have been selected, and after successful implementation, the programme will be expanded to other schools. To enrol in these courses, students must create a user ID and log in to karnalcode.org, which is available on the SARAL portal.
After logging in, students must select the appropriate course based on their class level, the ADC stated.