Technology
UP to upgrade secondary school exam system with AI-Bots
Lucknow, Sep 18
The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to use Artificial Intelligence AI-bots to upgrade the examination system for secondary school education and make education free from corruption and negligence.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has already partnered with Microsoft India to conduct capacity building programmes for high school teachers with the aim to integrate cloud-powered technology from kindergarten to class 12.
The CBSE has decided to include AI and Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE) as skill subjects in the school curriculum, following which Uttar Pradesh has mapped the same path.
State Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who holds the secondary education portfolio, was unwilling to disclose details of the programme. "We will disclose things at the appropriate time," he said.
A senior official in the secondary education department was more forthcoming.
"Things are still in the planning stage and we are trying to ensure implementation of the programme for the 2020 board examinations," the official said.
With AI-bots installed in Uttar Pradesh schools, the system will be able to track proxy invigilators and students besides the performance of an individual student based on his previous grades, participation and performance.
Such experiments in various schools, especially in Andhra Pradesh, is proof of AI working as a catalyst in streamlining the education system and helping institutions make better decisions. Implementing AI on such a large scale would help in fixing the loopholes in the current system.
"The main problem with the Uttar Pradesh board examinations is the shortage of teachers and the inability to maintain the standard of teaching. In this scenario, when teaching is inadequate, the students, as well as teachers, resort to unfair means during examinations. You have proxy writers and proxy invigilators and the quality of education suffers," the official said.
Earlier this year, the state government took several steps to check malpractices in secondary board examinations and as a result over 10 lakh students dropped out during examinations.
CCTV cameras were installed in all examination centres and the special task force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police was deployed to check cheating.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 were promulgated with a ban on outsiders within a periphery of 200 metres of the exam centres.
Ravi Prakash Dubey, a secondary school teacher who retired last year, however, is sceptical about the use of AI in the state.
"Majority of teachers in the state are not even familiar with a computer and are already resenting the 'attendance by selfie' programme. The government should first ensure the proper assessment of the teaching staff. Good teachers will encourage good students. We know of cases where the teacher cannot spell and pronounce words like 'dangerous' and 'future'. How can such teachers be expected to give good education?" he said.
Dubey also suggested that teachers be trained on AI before the programme is implemented.
"This programme will provide teachers better access to the latest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and help them integrate technology into teaching safely and securely, thereby enhancing the learning experience and 21st-century skills of all students," retired university professor Ramesh Dixit said.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has already partnered with Microsoft India to conduct capacity building programmes for high school teachers with the aim to integrate cloud-powered technology from kindergarten to class 12.
The CBSE has decided to include AI and Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE) as skill subjects in the school curriculum, following which Uttar Pradesh has mapped the same path.
State Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who holds the secondary education portfolio, was unwilling to disclose details of the programme. "We will disclose things at the appropriate time," he said.
A senior official in the secondary education department was more forthcoming.
"Things are still in the planning stage and we are trying to ensure implementation of the programme for the 2020 board examinations," the official said.
With AI-bots installed in Uttar Pradesh schools, the system will be able to track proxy invigilators and students besides the performance of an individual student based on his previous grades, participation and performance.
Such experiments in various schools, especially in Andhra Pradesh, is proof of AI working as a catalyst in streamlining the education system and helping institutions make better decisions. Implementing AI on such a large scale would help in fixing the loopholes in the current system.
"The main problem with the Uttar Pradesh board examinations is the shortage of teachers and the inability to maintain the standard of teaching. In this scenario, when teaching is inadequate, the students, as well as teachers, resort to unfair means during examinations. You have proxy writers and proxy invigilators and the quality of education suffers," the official said.
Earlier this year, the state government took several steps to check malpractices in secondary board examinations and as a result over 10 lakh students dropped out during examinations.
CCTV cameras were installed in all examination centres and the special task force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police was deployed to check cheating.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 were promulgated with a ban on outsiders within a periphery of 200 metres of the exam centres.
Ravi Prakash Dubey, a secondary school teacher who retired last year, however, is sceptical about the use of AI in the state.
"Majority of teachers in the state are not even familiar with a computer and are already resenting the 'attendance by selfie' programme. The government should first ensure the proper assessment of the teaching staff. Good teachers will encourage good students. We know of cases where the teacher cannot spell and pronounce words like 'dangerous' and 'future'. How can such teachers be expected to give good education?" he said.
Dubey also suggested that teachers be trained on AI before the programme is implemented.
"This programme will provide teachers better access to the latest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and help them integrate technology into teaching safely and securely, thereby enhancing the learning experience and 21st-century skills of all students," retired university professor Ramesh Dixit said.
1 hour ago
My mother's house smaller than your car! When PM Modi told former US president Obama
1 hour ago
Georgia Election Board Mandates Hand Count for November Ballots, Sparking Concerns Over Delays and Errors
1 hour ago
Biden set to host PM Modi in hometown Wilmington as Quad leaders intensify partnership
1 hour ago
India and US Must Collaborate to Counter China: Congressman Shri Thanedar Ahead of Quad Summit.
1 hour ago
In-Person Voting Kicks Off in Select US States, Six Weeks Before Election Day
1 hour ago
PM Modi Begins US Visit, Confirms Bilateral Talks with Biden and Participation in Key Events
1 hour ago
Harris Campaign Outspends Trump Nearly Threefold in August
1 hour ago
Secret Service Investigation Reveals Lapses in Security Prior to Trump Rally Shooting
2 hours ago
Vijay Varma shares exclusive moments with Kareena Kapoor Khan from ‘Jaane Jaan’ shoot
2 hours ago
Kiran Rao spills the beans on working with Aamir Khan: ‘ I'm always keen to work with him again’
2 hours ago
When Parineeti Chopra encountered ‘uff uff mirchi’ moment in Budapest
2 hours ago
Tina Datta reveals her obsessions: Clouds, sun & mom
2 hours ago
Tamannaah Bhatia sizzles in a playful hair video