AI education to expand for students, teachers
Iran’s deputy minister of education announced the implementation of a plan designed to teach students in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth grades basic training in artificial intelligence (AI), while teachers will also become familiar with the applications of AI in education.
Ahmad Mahmoudzadeh made the remarks during an online meeting with principals and founders of non-governmental schools, according to IRNA.
Referring to the division of the country into five hubs for implementing the plan, he said training courses have already begun for both public and non-governmental schools in some hubs, including Tehran and Razavi Khorasan, and will later be held in other provinces.
The head of the Organization of Non-Governmental Schools and Centers also announced the training of specialized instructors in this field, noting that around 100 teachers have been trained in each hub.
“After returning to their provinces, they will pass on the specialized training to other teachers and students,” Mahmoudzadeh said.
He called on principals and founders of non-governmental schools to facilitate the participation of all students in these courses and related science competitions, adding that a festival will be held at the end of the process to introduce and honor outstanding students and teachers.
Mahmoudzadeh stressed the need for strict oversight of educational quality in non-governmental schools, saying that academic performance — particularly in grades with final examinations — will be continuously evaluated. “If average scores are low, the issue will be reviewed and decisions will be made by the supervisory council.”
The deputy minister expressed hope that with the cooperation of principals, teachers, and founders of non-governmental schools, conditions will be created to improve educational quality and expand modern skills among students.
Referring to the obligations set out in the Seventh Development Plan, he said one of the most important missions of the education system is to train a skills-oriented workforce aligned with the needs of the labor market and the country’s future economy.
Furthermore, since artificial intelligence education for students and teachers has also been identified as one of the key priorities in the Seventh Development Plan, the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and several educational institutions, has placed the implementation of this initiative on its agenda.
He added that the martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei had, in recent years, emphasized expanding skills-based education for the younger generation. “Human capital, he said, is the country’s most important asset, and the economic development depends on the scientific and practical capabilities of this human capital,” Mahmoudzadeh concluded.