Hanoi starts to teach AI to all students from grade 1

The municipal Department of Education and Training has issued a plan to introduce AI education to school students and learners in continuing education programs across the city.

Under the plan, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, 100 percent of students from grade 1 to grade 12 will be introduced to core AI content, with AI topics being integrated into schools’ existing two-session-per-day teaching plans.

There will be no new subjects or changes in learning outcomes required under the 2018 General Education Program.

The department requires schools not to organize periodic tests or maintain separate grades or gradebooks for AI education.

The measure is intended to prevent additional pressure on students and teachers.

The AI content is also designed to be taught even at schools without computer rooms or specialised equipment.

Parents will not be required to purchase accounts, software or equipment for their children.

The program focuses on four competency strands, including human-centered thinking, AI ethics, AI techniques and applications, and AI system design.

Students will learn about privacy, personal data security, identifying fake or misleading information, accountability, and responsible and civilized behaviour when using technology.

Before being used in classrooms, AI tools and platforms must be reviewed against eight mandatory criteria set by the department.

All educational institutions must also issue rules governing the use of AI within their schools.

3 phases of implementation

The program will be carried out in three phases.

From August to September, educational units are set to issue implementation plans, train core teachers and prepare teaching plans.

Each school must have at least one core teacher, while at least 300 such teachers are expected across the city.

From September to January 2027, schools will deliver AI thematic lessons, issue rules on AI use, review teaching tools, conduct the first round of inspections and monitoring, and complete their first-semester review.

Between February and June 2027, schools will complete the required 12 core AI lessons, organize STEM/AI festivals at cluster and city levels, conduct a second round of inspections and monitoring, and complete final reviews.

Results will be reported to the Ministry of Education and Training by June 15 next year.