KP govt moves to launch Pakistan’s first public virtual school, AI teachers approved

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government approved a groundbreaking initiative to establish Pakistan’s first public-sector virtual school and introduce AI-based teachers to enhance learning outcomes.

An important meeting of the Primary and Secondary Education Department was held under the chairmanship of Sohail Afridi, where key decisions were taken regarding modern educational reforms in the province.

The Chief Minister also gave in-principle approval for the creation of an AI Education Authority and directed relevant departments to complete the necessary groundwork for its implementation.

The Chief Minister directed that students studying abroad and out of school through virtual schools should also be given the status of regular students.

He said that the establishment of virtual schools and AI teachers is the need of the hour, and this project will prove to be a game-changer, especially for students from remote areas.

The meeting was briefed that under the pilot project, 46 government schools in the province have been shifted to the online education system, including schools in 33 settled districts and 13 merged districts.

It was further informed that in June, under the development program, the scope of the project will be expanded, and 175 more schools will be converted into virtual schools.

A central digital teaching studio has been established under the project, from where the facility of recording live interactive classes and lectures will be available. Subjects like English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are being taught through AI teachers, while this facility is available 24 hours a day in Urdu, English, and Pashto languages.

According to the briefing, the total cost of this project is Rs 153.80 million, while Rs 44.85 million will be spent on establishing a tele-education center. This project is being described as a major step towards promoting education through modern technology in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.