Punjab rolls out AI-driven career guidance in government schools: what educators should know
Punjab has launched a pilot to bring AI-enabled career guidance into public schools, starting with 25 Career Guidance Labs across government and Punjab School Education Board (PSEB)-affiliated campuses. The initiative is free for students and is being implemented with ed-tech partner Beyond Mentor. Labs were inaugurated at Government Senior Secondary School, Nangal, and Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Sri Anandpur Sahib, alongside other locations.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the goal is simple: give students clear, timely guidance so they can make informed choices. "Career guidance should not be a luxury... we are ensuring every child, irrespective of their socio-economic background, can make an informed choice about their future," he noted. The pilot will be monitored for impact and operational efficacy, with a phased statewide expansion on the table if results hold up.
How the model works
- AI-based aptitude and interest assessments start as early as class 6.
- Each student receives an individualised career report outlining academic and vocational pathways.
- Professional counsellors then run one-to-one sessions, involve parents, and co-create an actionable plan.
PSEB Chairman Dr Amarpal Singh highlighted the shift this supports: "True education is about unlocking potential... moving beyond the conventional chase for marks." Beyond Mentor CEO Saurav Kumar added, "The AI handles scalable assessment, but the crucial counselling is delivered by professionals, ensuring each child feels heard and guided."
Why this matters for schools
- Early, structured guidance can reduce guesswork in subject selection and post-school pathways.
- Combining data-driven assessment with human counselling may improve student and parent confidence in decisions.
- Free access strengthens equity for learners who traditionally lack guidance resources.
Action checklist for school leaders and counsellors
- Scheduling: Block dedicated time for assessments and follow-up counselling to avoid clashes with core classes.
- Parent involvement: Set up short, focused slots for family participation; share pre-read briefs in local languages.
- Consent and privacy: Clarify how student data is collected, stored, and used; keep opt-in records.
- Access and inclusion: Ensure girls, rural students, and learners with disabilities get equal access; provide language support.
- Teacher coordination: Loop in class teachers to align subject choices with student reports.
- Student follow-through: Create a simple tracker for action items and check-ins each term.
How to measure the pilot's impact
- Participation: Percentage of students assessed and counselled, by grade, gender, and location.
- Decision clarity: Share of students reporting clearer career goals after sessions.
- Academic choices: Changes in subject combinations and vocational enrolments aligned with reports.
- Parent feedback: Satisfaction with guidance quality and usefulness.
- Longitudinal follow-up: Track plan completion and course persistence over the next 12-24 months.
Key questions to ask the vendor and your team
- Data and security: Where is data stored, for how long, and who has access?
- Fairness and validation: How is the assessment validated across languages and diverse student groups?
- Accessibility: What supports exist for students with limited digital access or special needs?
- Operational readiness: What training and documentation are provided for school staff?
- Integration: Can reports connect to your existing school information systems or counselling workflows?
What's next
The pilot's results will guide how fast Punjab scales the model statewide. If the labs deliver on outcomes and operational stability, Punjab could set a practical benchmark for AI-led career guidance within public education.
For more context on career readiness frameworks and policy research, see the OECD's Career Readiness resources. You can also refer to PSEB's official site for system updates.
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