AI subject under consideration in schools: Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakeena Itoo

Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that the government is making concerted efforts to strengthen the educational ecosystem, with a special focus on improving facilities in government schools.

The Minister was replying to a question by legislator Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh regarding the introduction of new subjects.

She said components such as general studies, computer education, digital literacy and vocational skill-based education have been introduced at different levels of schooling in a phased manner, depending on institutional capacity, infrastructure, availability of trained manpower and other requisite facilities.

Itoo said Computer Science, Information Practices and Information Technology have already been introduced as separate subjects at the higher secondary level (Classes XI and XII). In addition, vocational and skill-based education across 15 trades has been implemented in high and higher secondary schools in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).

She added that the introduction of Artificial Intelligence as a subject is under active consideration in alignment with NEP 2020.

The minister said the integration of 21st-century skills, as outlined in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (2023) and envisioned in NEP 2020, is being implemented in a phased manner. The revised curriculum emphasises critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, digital literacy, problem-solving and experiential learning.

She noted that these competencies are being embedded across subjects through curriculum rationalisation, revised pedagogical approaches, competency-based assessments and the integration of skill-oriented modules at the secondary and senior secondary levels.

Itoo further said the existing curriculum is aligned with NEP 2020, particularly in terms of digital literacy, multidisciplinary learning and vocational education. The policy advocates an integrated and holistic approach to curriculum design, with domains such as digital literacy and skill education incorporated from the foundational stage onwards.

She also informed the House that teachers are being oriented and trained to effectively integrate these competencies into classroom practices, ensuring holistic learning outcomes.

At the secondary and senior secondary levels, digital literacy and skill education are also offered as dedicated elective subjects, in addition to their cross-curricular integration, she added.