ISLAMABAD: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be formally taught in schools and colleges of Islamabad from the upcoming academic session starting in April this year.

According to the National Curriculum Council, students from class six to eight will be given a choice for opting either for computer science or AI. From class 9 to 12, students can opt for AI as an elective subject.

Similarly, students from nursery to class 5 will be taught AI as a non-credit subject and no exams will be conducted for them.

“The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics into Pakistan’s national education system marks a strategic milestone in preparing learners for a rapidly evolving digital and technological landscape,” read a statement issued by the education ministry.

It said that under the directions of Secretary Education Nadeem Mahbub, National Curriculum Council (NCC), with input from experts, had finalised and notified the AI & Robotics Curriculum for Grades 1–12.

According to the ministry of education, the policy is designed to develop students’ competencies in computational thinking, automation, intelligent systems, robotics design, ethical and responsible use of technology, and real-world problem solving through structured, progressive and application-oriented learning pathways aligned with national priorities and international best practices.

“The curriculum will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders to support orientation, capacity building and phased implementation nationwide empowering our students not just for today but for the world of tomorrow,” said statement.

When contacted, Director NCC Dr Tabassum Naz said that it was the national curriculum which had been finalised in consultation with provinces. She said junior students from nursery to class 5 will be taught the subject as non-credit and it would be a sort of learning with fun.

However, she said class six to eight students will pick either CS or AI while from 9 to 12, students can opt AI as an elective subject.

“There was need of making this important and emerging subject part of school curriculum and now a new policy has been notified,” she said and added that for the first time students from upcoming session in Islamabad will have the choice to opt AI as a subject. Asked about provinces, she said provinces were on board in finalising the new curriculum.

Meanwhile, an official of the education ministry said that since education was a devolved subject, it was up to provinces whether they adopt the policy or not.

“Since they were on board and this curriculum was finalised with their input, I don’t think they will not implement it. As far as Islamabad is concerned, we are going to implement this policy from upcoming session from April this year,” the official said and added that Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) will also include AI in its exams.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2026