AI, STEM and Robotics Labs Launched in Karnataka Government Schools
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched a CSR-backed initiative to set up five AI, STEM and robotics labs in government schools across Hosapete taluka, Hampi, Karnataka. The project - Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS) 'VijAIpatha' - aims to make high-quality technology education accessible within public education.
Each lab will include high-performance computers, AI-ready software, robotics kits, IoT devices, sensors and secure broadband. The pilot focuses on rural and semi-urban schools to build early digital fluency, computational thinking and hands-on problem-solving.
Policy fit and curriculum
The programme supports NEP 2020, Digital India and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, while integrating the CBSE AI curriculum. For reference, see NEP 2020 on the Education Ministry website here and CBSE's skill education resources here.
This alignment helps districts plug labs into existing timetables, assessments and teacher workloads without reinventing the wheel. It also supports equity goals by bringing future-focused learning to underserved blocks.
Scope and expected outcomes
- Impact: 2,000+ students to benefit; 200+ teachers to be trained.
- Learning outcomes: Foundational digital knowledge, critical thinking, project-based problem-solving and early career exposure.
- Infrastructure uplift: Secure broadband, device management standards and safe lab operations in government school settings.
Implementation notes for districts considering replication
- Governance: Form a district steering group with DIET, BEOs and school heads; set clear roles for CSR partners and vendors.
- Infrastructure: Ensure stable power, secure internet, device inventory control and a basic maintenance SLA.
- Teacher development: Use a "train-the-trainer" model; blend in-person practicums with microlearning for ongoing support.
- Curriculum integration: Map lab work to CBSE AI modules and grade-level competencies; schedule weekly lab hours.
- Safety and compliance: Child protection norms, supervised equipment use, data privacy guidelines and safe internet policies.
- Monitoring: Track utilization, student projects, assessment gains and teacher certification; publish a simple quarterly dashboard.
- CSR partnerships: Standardize MoUs, define measurable outcomes and establish transparent reporting.
- Procurement: Use common technical specs for hardware, software and robotics kits to simplify scale-up.
What to measure
- Student participation by class, gender and school type; attendance and project completion rates.
- Teacher upskilling: training hours, certifications earned and classroom integration of AI concepts.
- Lab health: uptime, internet reliability, device availability and maintenance response times.
- Student outputs: working prototypes, code submissions, local problem statements and community showcases.
Next steps for state and district administrators
- Select candidate schools based on readiness and geographic equity.
- Map CSR donors and implementation partners; align contributions with standard lab specs.
- Issue simple SOPs for lab use, device security and data privacy.
- Appoint master trainers; create a support calendar that includes classroom observation and feedback.
- Set quarterly reviews with clear KPIs and a plan to scale across blocks after the pilot.
VijAIpatha is built as a scalable CSR model that districts and states can adapt in partnership with education departments. With clear standards, accountability and teacher support, it can serve as a practical blueprint for expanding AI education in government schools nationwide.
For teams planning teacher skilling at scale, you can explore curated AI courses by job roles here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
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