CBSE small step towards AI , giant leap for Indian education !
CBSE’s new bold step is definitely a game changer for Indian education system. The reason is, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the first time as a module for young students starting from Class 8. Yes, you heard it right!
We would have heard many pointing as to how Indian education lags behind current needs and trends of market. CBSE’s bold move to tackle the huge skill deficit problem earlier on is a game changer for Indian education system in many ways. The race towards learning and preparing the future leaders for AI has already begun; China, Russia and the USA have already introduced AI and machine learning curriculum in schools and now it is India’s turn to do the same.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with a network of over 20,000 schools is taking a giant leap towards addressing the growing need for AI with coding skills like Python, Java, C++ and SQL. The CBSE has included AI and Python as a subject in the curriculum of Class 8, 9 & 11 from the 2019–2020 academic session.
This idea of introduction of AI & Python to the current syllabus came up from a recent seminar held at NITI Aayog. The sole intention of it is to make the children future-ready as it was realised that AI has strategic importance and it was high time to introduce these concepts to children at an early age.
Artificial Intelligence and Python are gradually being the new black of the future skill which industries and the country needs. Realising the fact that AI and programming languages will play a vital role in the coming years, the curriculum developed for schools aim to inspire the next generation and equip younger ones with the knowledge, skills and ethical thinking which are needed to meet the growing need for AI talent.
The curriculum is well thought out as it involves both theory sessions as well as practical sessions. The key areas to be covered would be — Introduction to AI, AI Ethics, Privacy, AI Project life cycle, Neural Networks, Basics of Python language. The best part is that the curriculum has a mix of theory and hands-on activities. The total course is for 110 hours.
CBSE’s introduction of AI for 14-year old teens creates an opportunity, as well a challenge.
Some Challenges are :
1) AI which is considered only to be understood by post graduates, techies or Ph.D scholars. How can it be simplified to teach the young ones?
2) Are schools and teachers equipped to teach these new concepts?
Learning AI and coding in Python is not a herculean task at all. We at givemefive.ai provide AI & Python learning for kids and teens. The approach of GiveMeFive is to teach AI using unique games and activities, e.g imagine teaching forward propagation through card based games!
Next time if you hear somebody talking “Well, Indian education system is outdated blah blah blah…”, you know what to tell. 😉
You can view the entire syllabus here. If you are a school teacher and would like to know more about CBSE AI , Python and programming curriculum, write to me at hello@givemefive.ai
