Bengaluru: The department of school education and literacy has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) as a vocational subject for classes 9 and 10 under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), allowing students to opt for it instead of a third language.Following approval from the Project Approval Board, AI will be introduced in 1,642 govt high schools across Karnataka, including 1,180 newly approved high schools, 381 NSQF schools, and 81 existing single-sector schools. In the 81 schools, existing vocational subjects such as beauty and wellness, retail, and apparel will be replaced by AI.The programme, to be implemented by Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (SSK), aims to equip students with 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, technical knowledge, and employability.To support the rollout, SSK has directed each school to appoint one AI guest teacher for the 2026-27 academic year at an honorarium of Rs 20,000 a month. Recruitment will be carried out by a selection committee headed by the school development and monitoring committee, with appointments to be completed by July 28.Eligible candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in computer applications, computer science or information technology, a diploma in computer science or information technology, or a postgraduate diploma in computer applications. They should also have at least one year of work experience and proficiency in the local language and English. Applications will be invited publicly, with selections made as per govt-prescribed eligibility criteria.An SSK circular has also directed authorities to redeploy third-language teachers from schools implementing AI to nearby govt schools facing teacher shortage.The move has, however, drawn opposition from the Karnataka State High School Hindi Teachers’ Association, which has urged the department to retain the existing three-language policy and opposed the redeployment of teachers.Responding to the concerns, additional chief secretary Rashmi V Mahesh said: “Third language will be taught in flagship schools in the lower classes. In flagship schools like KPS, there is a huge demand for future-aligned skill education among students. We are bringing AI into school curriculum as a vocational/skill subject, which is NSQF-aligned. Future-aligned skill education programme is one of our eight education guarantees. As per already existing rules, students can take either an NSQF subject or third language. Here, we are facilitating students to develop emerging skill competencies, which can also be continued in I and II PU through AI NSQF-aligned course. The concern of teachers was the transfers; we’ve assured them there will be no transfers.”She also said private unaided schools could offer NSQF-recognised AI as a vocational course.
