Educationists and teachers have welcomed the policy considerations by the Punjab government to make artificial intelligence (AI) a compulsory subject in school education, describing it as a step towards aligning students with future technological demands.
Private Schools Already Engaging with AI
During a survey interaction, various education specialists in academia noted that private schools were already engaged with this subject on a preliminary basis. The initiative reflects a forward-looking vision aimed at equipping students with modern skills, according to Central President of All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association, Dr. Ibrar Hussain Malik.
Dr. Ibrar said that AI was no longer just an innovation but had become the language of the future, making its early education essential for national progress. He emphasized that integrating AI into the curriculum would enable students not only to use technology but also to develop and innovate it. He added that nations investing in emerging technologies were leading the global economy, and Pakistan must not lag behind.
Timely Decision for Digital Era
Chief Patron of All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association, Ch. Amjad Zeb, also endorsed the proposed policy, terming it a timely and much-needed decision. He said the inclusion of AI in schools would help prepare students for the challenges of the digital era. Amjad noted that AI was transforming the way people think, learn and work, and its introduction at school level would strengthen analytical and problem-solving skills among students.
He further stated that such reforms would enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global technological landscape. Early exposure to AI concepts would inspire innovation and creativity among students, enabling them to contribute effectively to the country’s digital economy in the future.
New Learning Avenues for Students
Principal of Allama Iqbal School, Yasir Malik, said that making AI a compulsory subject would open new learning avenues for students. He emphasized that modern education demanded integration of advanced technologies to keep pace with global standards. Yasir explained that AI could help students solve complex academic problems and understand scientific concepts more efficiently. He added that its practical application in classrooms would significantly improve the quality of education.
Yasir further warned that if such technologies were not adopted in time, students risked falling behind in an increasingly competitive world. He stressed that learning AI had now become a necessity rather than a choice for the younger generation.
