250 Eklavya Model Residential Schools have been identified for the program's first phase

Microsoft will make Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum available in both English and Hindi to support the digital transformation of schools such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Ashram Schools.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA), which runs these schools, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft on Monday to build an inclusive and skis-based economy.

In the first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft. Out of these, 50 schools will be given intensive training and 500 master trainers would be trained.

Teachers across states in India will be trained in a phased manner for using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching, helping them deliver blended or remote learning experiences to students in a more personalized, productive and secure manner.

"Teacher trainings will introduce them to the world of virtual collaboration and how teaching can be augmented with virtual field trips or remote sessions with experts. The program will also offer opportunities for teachers to earn professional e-badges and e-certificates from the Microsoft Education Centre," the Ministry of Tribal Affairs said after the MoU was signed during a virtual event.

Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda said that students needed to get ready to compete at the global level.

“This program will prove beneficial in terms of readiness, preparedness of our students at various international forums. Though these programs, our students would get the required skill set through digital transformation and this would open a new chapter with AI and coding being a part of the curriculum,” he said.

Navtez Bal, Executive Director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, said “The past year in both policy and practice has shown us that the future of learning will be more personalized and driven by technology... We are deeply committed to the digital transformation of education in India and to support a community who will play a key role in shaping India's next phase of growth.”