Punjab’s plan to introduce artificial intelligence education for students from Grade I to V has run into delays as thousands of government schools lack the computers, internet access and trained teachers needed for technology-based learning.
The Punjab Education Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) has completed the academic framework, but the formal notification needed to move ahead has not yet been issued. Until that happens, textbook preparation, printing and classroom planning cannot proceed. A July report similarly said the rollout had been delayed because government primary schools lack the required computer labs.
The delay has highlighted the gap between the government’s AI ambitions and conditions in many public schools.
Government records show that many primary schools do not have computer laboratories. In numerous rural schools, students have never used a computer, while unreliable electricity and weak internet connectivity remain major challenges.
Funding is another hurdle. Equipping thousands of schools with computer labs, devices and ongoing maintenance would require a substantial increase in development spending, making an immediate province-wide rollout difficult.
Officials are considering introducing basic AI concepts through existing subjects during the first phase instead of making AI a separate subject immediately.
The approach would allow schools to begin teaching digital concepts while infrastructure is upgraded gradually. A similar backup option has previously been discussed for adding basic AI lessons to existing textbooks if funding limits the full rollout.
Teacher training is also a major concern. Teacher Tahira Jabeen said most government primary-school teachers have not received professional training in AI, computational thinking or digital technologies.
She warned that introducing a modern curriculum without first preparing teachers could turn AI education into theoretical lessons rather than meaningful learning.
Education experts say AI education for younger students should focus on logical reasoning, creativity, problem-solving and responsible technology use rather than advanced programming.
However, they argue that this requires interactive teaching, digital devices and practical activities, resources that remain unavailable in many government schools.
Punjab has repeatedly included AI in its wider education and digital transformation plans. PECTAA completed an AI curriculum earlier this year covering areas ranging from basic computing to data science, machine learning, robotics and ethical AI.
For now, however, the pending approval, lack of infrastructure and shortage of trained teachers have left the proposed primary-school rollout on hold.
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Punjab is way ahead. 95% Propk news are about punjab only, why not highlight plight of karachi, charsaddhaa, abbotabad?
