Amazon announced the expansion of its partnership with National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India launched Amazon Future Engineer program in 54 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
The partnership is being expanded from computer science fundamentals module to include Advanced Block Programming and Artificial Intelligence.
Based on the encouraging results of last year’s implementation, the revised module will introduce a customized coding and artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum that is aligned with CBSE skill education.
This will be in addition to the current courses in coding, logical sequencing, learning loops, and block programming.
The 20-hour module is constructed taking into account the current exposure of tribal students to computer science and coding.
Class six students will be taught the fundamentals of computer science, seventh standard will be introduced to the advanced concepts of visual programming; grade eight will get introductory exposure sessions to AI; and grade nine will learn the fundamentals of AI. For grade 10, the AI module aligned with the CBSE skills curriculum will be introduced in the academic year 2024-25.
The program has been designed in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation (LLF) and focuses on enhancing access for underprivileged students to explore computer science education and careers.
Under this program, coding courses, scholarships, and internships are offered while collaborating with several organizations and ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
In addition to this, they work with educators and provide professional development support and resources to teachers so as to facilitate effective computer science learning.
In addition to the computer science learning, Class Chat Sessions are conducted by Amazon employees who help students understand various careers in tech industry and how to get there.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has set up Eklavya Model Residential Schools in order to provide quality education to tribal students in various states. The National Education Society for Tribal Students plays an important role in the establishment, management, operations and maintenance of the EMRSs.
Amazon Future Engineer is a computer science education program that allows all young people to explore their potential and build a better world for us all. As a childhood-to-career program, AFE offers programming that starts with primary schooling and continues through secondary into career. Throughout, Amazon partners with organizations that share its mission and create opportunities for students to discover the richness of computer science through intersections with self-expression, social justice, sustainability and more.
Amazon introduced the AFE in India in 2021 and has partnered with several education-focused non-profit organisations including Leadership for Equity, Learning Links Foundation, Pi Jam Foundation, American India Foundation, Code.org, Educational Initiatives, Peepul, The Innovation Story, NavGurukul and Foundation for Excellence; to engage with students and provide them critical learning opportunities.
Through this extensive partner network, Amazon has also engaged with key government bodies, policymakers, teachers and the management of thousands of government schools to implement the AFE program in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
