Pilot project to introduce AI to be launched in 20 schools
A pilot project to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) to the education system is expected to be implemented in March, State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath told Education Times. President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Technology submitted a proposal to introduce artificial intelligence into the education system, which was approved by the Cabinet on February 12. A Microsoft-backed pilot project for students of Grade 8 and above is to be implemented in 20 government schools. “Microsoft is arranging 20 model schools located all around the country. We have selected at least one from each Province,” an Education Ministry official said.
“We are going to sign the MoU mid-March as we got the Cabinet approval this Monday,” the official said. “The pilot project will only cover 20 government schools. In the future, all government and government-approved schools will be covered,” the official added. State Minister Herath said that the curriculum would be adapted by private schools, given the success of the project. Microsoft will contribute in revising the international syllabus, which is currently implemented by Microsoft based on the recommendations of the National Institute of Education.
Additional Secretary of IT and Digital Education of the Education Ministry Dr Kithsiri Munagama said that in 2019, the National Robotic and Invention Competition was initiated, which was “one way of entering into the field” of AI. “Now we have robotics and innovation clubs in schools, so the foundation layer was already initiated, but it was struggling. With the introduction of AI to the education system, our foundation has been well established. This is a great achievement in the education system,” he said. Furthermore, Microsoft will train 100 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subject teachers.
“We are not limited to the 20 selected schools when selecting the 100 trainers. The training programme will be done islandwide to select the trainers,” the Education Ministry source said. “Apart from the introduction of AI to the education system, we are also trying to have AI centres within schools,” State Minister Herath said. “We supported the Education Ministry and 1,000 schools to have fiberization, of which we have completed 75 percent. We are trying to complete all 1,000 schools by the end of March,” he said. “The second phase is to initiate AI centres within schools, providing necessary equipment,” he added. The objective of the project is to enhance education through digital teaching tools, the Minister said. -DW
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