The Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) has put off the official notification for introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject in primary schools, as thousands of government institutions lack the computer labs needed to teach it.
PECTAA had approved AI instruction for students from Grade 1 to Grade 5, with plans to roll out the subject from the upcoming academic year. Officials now say the absence of AI and computer lab facilities across government primary schools has stalled the finalization of an implementation plan.
The delay in formal notification is also holding up textbook preparation. Since the subject has not been officially notified, the printing of AI textbooks cannot proceed.
Faced with the high cost of setting up dedicated AI labs in thousands of primary schools, officials are weighing an alternative: incorporating AI concepts as a chapter within existing subjects rather than launching AI as a standalone subject.
Establishing computer labs for a full AI subject would cost millions of rupees, a factor officials cite as the main obstacle to moving forward.
PECTAA officials said the matter remains under review and that a formal notification on the AI curriculum will follow once a final decision is reached. The initiative is part of a broader push by education authorities to equip students with modern technology skills while confronting persistent infrastructure gaps in government schools.
