PANAJI
The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has decided to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an additional subject for students in Class IX and onwards, starting this academic year. The decision has been taken in view of the increasing demand for skilled workers in the field of AI.
A circular addressed to all secondary and higher secondary schools on Thursday has announced that AI will be incorporated into the curriculum of all schools, even those that do not offer National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) subjects.
“The new subject AI has been introduced as an additional subject in accordance with the NSQF scheme, serving as the 7th subject for Class IX from the academic year 2023-24,” Board Secretary, V B Naik said in the two-page circular.
The 2024-25 academic year will see the Class X curriculum of AI implemented for Class XI students.
In order to provide flexibility to students, the Board has allowed them to choose between AI and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The circular further states that for schools or students opting for AI as the 7th subject in Class IX, the existing ICT assessment subject will be exempted and those not opting for AI will continue with ICT but will follow a modified AI syllabus. The nomenclature for the school assessment subject will remain as ICT for the latter.
Regarding the evaluation of AI, students will be assessed based on a 40-mark theory component (20 marks for each term) and a 60-mark practical component (30 marks for each term). GBSHSE has also recommended that educational institutions have five sessions of 35 minutes each per week for AI for Class IX and Class XI.
The Board also announced AI training for computer teachers, along with training on the revised ICT syllabus; and plans to make the AI textbook for Class IX available in the open market soon.
