In a remarkable blend of heritage and innovation, the 111-year-old Vandse Government Higher Primary School at Byndoor in Kundapur taluk has introduced a generative AI teacher robot, becoming the first government school in Karnataka to launch such an initiative.
Named IRIS, the saree-clad humanoid has been brought in to support interactive learning and modern classroom teaching.
Historic school embraces modern future
The AI robot was developed by Makerlabs Edutech under the NITI Aayog Atal Tinkering Lab project.
School supporters said the robot is not a replacement for teachers, but a teacher-friendly learning assistant designed to improve classroom engagement.
IRIS can interact in more than 20 languages, helping students understand lessons in a more accessible and enjoyable way.
Trust helped revive school
According to school supporters, Shri Mookambika Charitable Trust has played a major role in transforming the institution.
The trust reportedly invested around ₹3 crore in infrastructure upgrades including new classrooms, a solar system, school bus, projectors, smart boards and a computer lab.
At one stage, the school faced closure after admissions dropped to zero. Following reforms and the introduction of English medium education, enrolment steadily rose.
Admissions already rising
Officials said the trust spent ₹3.5 lakh for the AI robot and expects it to further improve learning standards and attract more students.
At present, the school has 334 students from Classes 1 to 7 and 15 teachers.
The new initiative has already generated fresh interest from parents seeking admissions.
A proud step for Karnataka education
The move is being seen as a major milestone for government schooling in Karnataka, proving that rural schools too can lead in technology-driven education.