CM YS Jagan moots two boards for primary, higher education; stresses importance of AI in syllabus

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has emphasised the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and called for its inclusion in the school curriculum. In a high-level meeting held at his camp office in Tadepalli on Thursday, Jagan asked senior officials from the education department and vice-chancellors of universities to think of possibilities to include AI in syllabus.

Jagan urged the VCs to explore all possibilities to bridge the gap between education goals and achievements in the wake of changes the world was undergoing.

“From steam engines to electricity to computers, we remained followers without having a say in their invention,” YS Jagan said. He added that the world was now witnessing a fourth revolution in the form of AI.

Highlighting the crucial role of vice-chancellors in higher education, YS Jagan stated that they should consider adopting a two-pronged strategy to keep pace with emerging technologies. He suggested incorporating AI into the education system to enhance teaching methods and learning skills, while also imparting AI-creation skills to students as part of the curriculum.

"We should actively participate in the fourth revolution, becoming its creators rather than just followers. By taking appropriate steps at the right time, we can become part of the emerging technologies. As AI advances, one section becomes its creators while another section follows," YS Jagan emphasised, stressing the need to become creators.

The Chief Minister mentioned that during his recent meeting, the German Consulate General said that his country was facing a severe shortage of skilled Human Resources. “In fact, all western countries are facing demographic imbalance. In Andhra Pradesh and throughout Indja, 70 percent of the people are capable of working. Unless we train them with proper knowledge and skills, we can’t take the role of guiding the world,” Jagan said and stressed on changes to be introduced in the educational system.

YS Jagan listed several suggestions in this regard, including the introduction of multiple verticals within a single faculty, such as asset management, financial markets, risk management, and security analysis in B Com, similar to Western countries, to provide students with various options. He also underscored the need to integrate augmented reality and virtual reality into the curriculum through interactive classes.

The Chief Minister further expressed the need to revise teaching methods and the syllabus in medical education to incorporate AI and robotics. He laid emphasis on the importance of imparting modern agricultural methods to students and children, as technology played a significant role in the agricultural sector.

"In line with Western countries, we should introduce practical applicability and revamp teaching methods, question paper preparation, and examination methods by integrating emerging technologies into our curriculum. To realise this vision, we will establish a Board consisting of global experts to provide recommendations," YS Jagan announced.

He added that two separate boards should be formed, one for primary education and one for higher education, to overhaul the entire education system from primary to higher education.