New Delhi: As artificial intelligence reshapes the world, schools must go beyond academics and equip children with the ability to live meaningfully with others, former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia asserted. Addressing a gathering of educators from Delhi, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, he emphasized that the central challenge of the future will not be mastering technology but fostering harmony—within oneself, with others, and with nature.
Speaking to teachers associated with a reputed NGO focused on professional development, Manish Sisodia emphasized that education must prioritize emotional intelligence, empathy, and coexistence in an era increasingly dominated by machines.
Former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia began by acknowledging the rapid transformation happening in the world due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). “We are entering an era where AI can already write essays, solve math problems, summarize history chapters, and even simulate science experiments,” he said.
India’s Education Landscape – A Reality Check
•India has over 25.5 crore (255 million) school-going children, according to the UDISE+ data.
•More than 95 lakh (9.5 million) teachers are employed across schools in India—of which around 50 lakh are in government schools.
•There are 15 lakh schools in the country, covering diverse socio-economic and geographic landscapes.
Manish Sisodia highlighted that in such a vast and dynamic education system, AI can be a powerful tool, but only teachers can provide context, ethics, emotional support, and real-world wisdom. “The purpose of school education must now shift from content delivery to character development, creativity, collaboration, and compassion,” he added.
Giving a practical example, Manish Sisodia said, “Earlier, when a teacher taught Newton’s Laws, students needed the teacher to explain it. Today, a 12-year-old can ask ChatGPT and get instant answers, illustrations, and even video explanations. The question, therefore, is no longer how to teach Newton’s Laws, but why it is important to learn about motion, force, and inquiry at all.”
From Content Delivery to Conscious Dialogue
The Delhi Education Minister emphasized that teachers now need to help students ask the right questions, not just answer them. “Let AI give them the answers. Teachers must help them frame questions that matter—questions about ethics, meaning, and society.”
He cited the example of Finland, where schools are now focusing more on phenomenon-based learning rather than siloed subject content. “Why can’t we have a curriculum unit in Class 8 called ‘Plastic: A Curse or a Convenience?’ instead of isolated chapters in science, geography, and civics?”
Why Teach? The Question for Every Educator
“The most important question today is not how to teach, but why teach at all?” Manish Sisodia said. “And the answer is simple yet profound: we teach not just to inform the mind, but to shape the human. Machines will never replace the heart of a teacher who inspires, listens, and helps a child feel seen.”
He also highlighted data from Delhi’s government schools. Between 2015–2023, more than 1.5 lakh students from government schools appeared in competitive exams like NEET and JEE, something unthinkable a decade ago. School of Specialized Excellence (SOSE) in Delhi now prepares students for careers in AI, humanities, business, and STEM, showing how teachers have adapted to mentoring, not just lecturing.
Manish Sisodia further stressed that teacher training must be completely reimagined. “Teachers must be trained not just in pedagogy, but in technology, ethics, psychology, and socio-emotional learning.”
He encouraged educators to design classrooms where students learn to collaborate, debate civilly, manage emotions, and care for their environment. “That’s the future role of a teacher—not just teaching children to answer questions, but preparing them to live meaningful lives.”
Today’s event was part of Manish Sisodia’s ongoing initiative to engage with educators, listen to ground realities, and co-create a vision for future-ready schools in India.
