The Tamil Nadu school education department has initiated a forward-thinking partnership with tech leaders Microsoft and Dassault Systèmes to integrate digital skills into the curriculum. This strategic collaboration aims to provide students in classes VI to IX with hands-on learning experiences in coding, robotics, and product development, according to Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
“By integrating digital and technical skills into the curriculum, we’re preparing students for higher education and careers in emerging tech fields,” Poyyamozhi explained. The initiative involves weekly workshops and interactive sessions that give students practical exposure to advanced technologies.
TEALS Programme and Current Progress
The collaboration builds upon the Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS) programme, through which more than 38,000 students from 100 government schools are already receiving training. Microsoft volunteers lead these sessions, which have been well-received by both students and educators.
“In our pilot, we saw students eager to learn and able to grasp new technologies quickly,” said Cecil Sunder, a Microsoft coordinator for TEALS. While TEALS currently operates in 100 schools, the department plans to extend the programme to more institutions across the state over the next few years.
Expanding Career Horizons
Students are finding these workshops to be an exciting departure from traditional classroom lessons. R Karthik, a Class IX student from Saidapet, noted, “We’re being introduced to careers that I didn’t even know existed. I never thought I’d learn something like 3D printing. I want to be a product designer someday.”
Building Tech-Ready Students
Industry experts emphasize the increasing demand for professionals skilled in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computer science. These skills are deemed critical for students to acquire early on, fostering better preparedness for future job markets.
“We were conducting programmes in phases to understand what skills students want to learn. We also started career guidance sessions,” said Parvathi S N, a science teacher at a government school in Nungambakkam. “We suggest workshops on soft skills, coding, filmmaking, and more based on what students are seeking.”
Future Plans
The education department intends to collaborate with additional technology firms to enhance the scope of these programmes. The goal is to expand workshops and interactive training to more students in the coming years, building a foundation for tech-driven education in Tamil Nadu.
