Gurgaon: The Haryana school education department has made it mandatory for all teachers to download and actively use an AI application called Guru Mitra for lesson planning and classroom management.A directive issued by the directorate of school education on June 8 was circulated among all district education officers (DEOs), district elementary education officers (DEEOs) and heads of govt schools. Officials described Guru Mitra as a virtual teaching assistant capable of helping educators prepare customised lesson plans, generate classroom content, create quizzes and assignments, access learning resources, and streamline assessment-related tasks. The platform was developed to reduce paperwork, improve productivity and allow teachers to spend more time engaging with students rather than administrative work.Education department officials said the app could significantly change how classrooms function. Instead of spending hours preparing study material, teachers can use AI-generated suggestions tailored to subjects and grade levels. The platform also offers support in classroom management and professional development, making it a one-stop digital companion for educators.The move comes amid a growing national conversation around the integration of artificial intelligence in education. While private schools and ed-tech companies have increasingly embraced AI tools, Haryana is among the first states to push for large-scale adoption of such technology across the govt school system. Officials argue that the initiative will not only enhance teaching quality but also help bridge gaps in access to educational resources, particularly in rural and semi-urban schools.However, the decision is also likely to spark debate among teachers regarding digital readiness, training and the practical challenges of adapting to AI-driven systems. Recognising this, the department has directed school heads to provide guidance and support to staff to ensure smooth adoption of the platform.
