Ahmedabad Civic Body Bets on Sports and AI in Rs 1,205-Crore School Budget
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has unveiled a progressive Rs 1,205-crore budget for its 453 government-run schools, with a vision to combine modern infrastructure, sports excellence, and cutting-edge digital education. This initiative marks a significant step in the city’s efforts to ensure that public school students are equipped not just academically, but also physically and technologically, for the challenges of the future.
Budget Overview: A Slight Increase, A Major Impact
The AMC’s Municipal Primary Education Committee recently approved the annual school budget of Rs 1,205 crore, which is Rs 5 crore higher than the previous year. While the increment may appear modest, the strategic allocation reflects a broader focus on strengthening government schools in Ahmedabad.
Officials emphasized that the budget comes at a crucial time, as the city positions itself as a potential host for major international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. The plan is to prepare students early for such global opportunities while ensuring they receive a modern, inclusive education.
Sujay Mehta, Chairman of the Municipal Primary Education Committee, explained in a recent interview with Aaj Tak, “We want to ensure the all-round development of students. This includes better infrastructure, teacher training, sports facilities, and AI education, especially in government schools.”
Sports Development: Investing in Future Champions
One of the key highlights of the budget is a focused push on sports training. AMC plans to provide professional coaching and modern sports equipment across municipal schools. In addition, a state-of-the-art sports complex is in the pipeline, where students will have access to structured training programs under expert guidance.
“With global sporting events on the horizon, it is important that our children are trained early,” said Mehta. “This budget allows us to invest in better sports facilities and coaching for students in government schools.”
The inclusion of sports infrastructure in the school curriculum is expected to cultivate talent from a young age, bridging the gap between government and private institutions in terms of holistic student development. The initiative also aligns with Ahmedabad’s broader vision of becoming a hub for international sporting events, ensuring that the city nurtures athletes from the grassroots level.
AI Education: Preparing Students for a Digital Future
Alongside sports, the AMC is prioritizing artificial intelligence education in its government schools. The initiative aims to equip students with critical digital skills, ensuring they are not left behind in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“AI is shaping the future,” Mehta emphasized. “We want children in government schools to receive better AI education than even private schools.”
Currently, nearly 80 percent of AMC schools have been converted into smart schools, with ongoing upgrades in an additional 10 percent. The remaining 10 percent are expected to be modernized by the end of the year. These smart classrooms provide students with interactive learning experiences, digital tools, and AI modules, preparing them for careers that require technological competence.
Presently, 1,72,576 students are enrolled across AMC schools in four language mediums, with 1,35,857 already benefiting from smart classroom facilities. The integration of AI education alongside traditional subjects is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills from an early age.
Inclusive Education: Leaving No Child Behind
The AMC is also continuing its “Education, Not Begging” campaign, reflecting a commitment to inclusive education. This initiative has led to the establishment of 14 “signal schools” for children rescued from street begging, which currently have 186 students enrolled.
By investing in the education of underprivileged children, the civic body aims to address systemic inequities while ensuring that all students have access to quality learning opportunities. Officials noted that approximately 11 percent of the total budget will be allocated to student development, academics, and teacher training, reinforcing the focus on nurturing a well-rounded educational ecosystem.
Mehta highlighted the importance of competent teaching staff, saying, “For thousands of students, the crisis is no longer about the number of teachers present to teach them but about having the right teacher who is capable of guiding students effectively. Without this, classrooms cannot be called places of learning.” This underscores the AMC’s effort to combine infrastructure and curriculum enhancements with strong teacher development programs.
Teacher Training and Infrastructure Upgrades
In addition to sports and AI education, the budget emphasizes comprehensive teacher training programs. Educators will be equipped with modern pedagogical tools, digital resources, and specialized training to deliver both academic and extracurricular learning effectively.
Infrastructure upgrades will include renovations of classrooms, science labs, libraries, and sanitation facilities. The goal is to create an environment where students feel motivated to learn and teachers are empowered to teach. By integrating modern facilities with advanced teaching methods, AMC hopes to close the gap between public and private schools, making government education a competitive and attractive choice for parents.
Holistic Development: Beyond Academics
The Rs 1,205-crore budget reflects a philosophy that education should go beyond textbooks. By combining AI, sports, teacher training, and inclusive education programs, AMC is fostering a holistic approach that addresses physical, cognitive, and social development.
Students will not only gain skills to compete in international sports but also develop digital literacy and critical thinking skills essential for the 21st-century workforce. Simultaneously, the focus on inclusive education ensures that children from all socio-economic backgrounds can thrive academically and socially.
Looking Ahead: Building the Schools of the Future
With the new budget in place, AMC aims to transform its government schools into modern, competitive, and inclusive institutions. This comprehensive approach positions Ahmedabad as a city ready for future global challenges, both in sports and technology.
The combination of smart classrooms, AI education, sports facilities, and inclusive programs creates a unique blueprint for other cities to follow. It demonstrates that public education can be forward-looking, competitive, and capable of producing well-rounded individuals ready to excel on both national and international stages.
In conclusion, the Rs 1,205-crore investment by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is more than just a financial commitment—it is a vision for the city’s future. By prioritizing sports, technology, teacher development, and inclusivity, AMC is laying the foundation for a generation of students who are not only academically proficient but also physically fit, technologically adept, and socially conscious. As Ahmedabad looks forward to hosting global sporting events in the coming decades, these young learners could very well become the city’s pride, both in classrooms and on international podiums.
