📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ingo Mehling
Education
Private schools association protests Karnataka's plan to replace third language with AI
✍️ Mangalore Today
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 12:03 PM
👁 17
The Karnataka government’s proposal to substitute the compulsory third language with artificial‑intelligence studies has been met with opposition from the state’s private schools association.
The Karnataka state government has unveiled a draft policy that would replace the mandatory third language in school curricula with a focus on artificial‑intelligence (AI) education. Under the proposal, students from grades six to ten would study AI concepts instead of traditional language options such as Sanskrit, Hindi or foreign languages.
The Association of Private Schools of Karnataka, representing more than 1,200 institutions, issued a statement condemning the move. The body argued that language proficiency remains a cornerstone of cultural identity and competitive advantage, and that an abrupt shift to AI could disrupt existing teaching frameworks.
The association said it will explore legal avenues and engage with the education department to seek a revision of the policy. It also called for a broader stakeholder consultation before any curricular overhaul is implemented.
Education officials, however, maintain that integrating AI early will equip students with skills needed for the digital economy. They have indicated that the proposal is still in the consultation phase and may be modified based on feedback.
The debate highlights the tension between preserving linguistic heritage and adapting curricula to emerging technological demands in India’s rapidly evolving education sector.
The Association of Private Schools of Karnataka, representing more than 1,200 institutions, issued a statement condemning the move. The body argued that language proficiency remains a cornerstone of cultural identity and competitive advantage, and that an abrupt shift to AI could disrupt existing teaching frameworks.
The association said it will explore legal avenues and engage with the education department to seek a revision of the policy. It also called for a broader stakeholder consultation before any curricular overhaul is implemented.
Education officials, however, maintain that integrating AI early will equip students with skills needed for the digital economy. They have indicated that the proposal is still in the consultation phase and may be modified based on feedback.
The debate highlights the tension between preserving linguistic heritage and adapting curricula to emerging technological demands in India’s rapidly evolving education sector.