Bengaluru: The Karnataka state school education department is planning to engage India’s premier technology institutes IIT Madras or IIT Bombay to develop a comprehensive computer science curriculum for government-run Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).

Starting from the 2026-27 academic year, the department aims to introduce computer science as a subject for students beginning in Class 1. The initiative will also integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) from Class 3 onwards and establish a dedicated cadre of qualified computer science teachers.

Currently, government schools lack specialized teachers and textbooks for computer science. In many schools, computers are available only if there are volunteer teachers or instructors appointed by NGOs, donors, or the School Development Monitoring Committee (SDMC). To address this shortage, the department plans to create a specific computer science teaching cadre within KPS, with teacher qualifications aligned to standards set by the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society. Eligible candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Science, BCA, BSc (Computer Science), or an equivalent qualification.

Additionally, candidates should have studied Kannada at any of the following levels: postgraduate, bachelor’s, pre-university, or SSLC. Alternatively, proficiency can be demonstrated through a diploma in Kannada or by passing Kannada certificate courses (Kava/Jana/Rathnaj) offered by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board or Kannada Sahitya Parishath, Bengaluru.

“The discussions with IIT Bombay are scheduled for next week, followed by meetings with IIT Madras. We will finalize one institute based on these talks. It is a matter of pride to have the best team in the country preparing curriculum content for our schools,” said Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy. She added, “Artificial Intelligence will be incorporated into the computer science curriculum starting from Class 3.”

This move is part of the department’s larger goal to transform KPS into model schools, equipped with all essential facilities. Currently, 309 KPS schools offer classes from LKG/UKG to II PU. The government plans to upgrade an additional 800 Kannada-medium and 100 Urdu-medium schools to KPS status. Launched in the 2018-19 academic year with 176 schools, the average student enrollment per KPS was approximately 785 in 2021, expected to reach 819 by 2025-26.

Pre-Primary Education to Be Introduced in Government Schools

In a separate circular dated November 14, the department announced plans to introduce pre-primary sections in 4,056 government schools for the 2026-27 academic year, including 1,699 magnet schools, 126 PM Sree schools, and 1,126 schools under the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB).

Teacher qualifications for pre-primary sections include completion of II PU with at least 50% marks and possession of a Diploma in Nursery Teacher Education, Preschool Teacher Education, Early Childhood Education, or B.Ed (Nursery). In the absence of qualified teachers, schools may hire candidates with 50% in II PU and completion of a two-year D.Ed programme from NCTE-recognized institutions.

Each pre-primary class will have one teacher and one helper, with monthly salaries of Rs 12,000 for teachers and Rs 6,250 for helpers, for a period of 10 months.