Kuala lumpur: The Perak Education Department (JPN) is committed to expanding the AI-Powered Classroom initiative across the state to strengthen the implementation of the Digital Education Policy and enhance teachers' digital competencies. Its principal assistant director (Educational Technology Resources Sector), Norhan Suid, said the initiative would also ensure equitable access to artificial intelligence (AI) technology for pupils in urban, rural, and Orang Asli schools.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Education (MOE), supports efforts to nurture a digitally literate generation while helping schools achieve the six strategic thrusts outlined under the Digital Education Policy. "The AI-Powered Classroom initiative supports the six pillars of the Digital Education Policy, particularly in producing digitally proficient students, digitally competent educators, and visionary school leaders capable of driving education transformation," Norhan told reporters after the launch of the AI-Powered Classroom initiative at SK Pengkalan.

Also present at the event were MOE Educational Resources and Technology Division director Aniza Kamarulzaman, who officiated the event, and SK Pengkalan headmistress Noorhayati Saha. Norhan said the department is also strengthening teachers' readiness through continuous AI training conducted by the Educational Technology Resources Sector in collaboration with the MOE's Educational Resources and Technology Division.

He said the Perak JPN has also adopted a teachers-helping-teachers approach by appointing experienced educators as master trainers to share best practices and digital innovations with colleagues across the state. The approach, he said, would accelerate the adoption of digital education innovations across Perak's 12 districts while fostering a stronger culture of knowledge-sharing among educators.

"We want to ensure there is no digital divide between urban and rural schools. Every pupil should have equal opportunities to benefit from AI technology in learning, as this initiative is one of the priorities outlined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035," he added. To date, four schools in Perak have been selected to implement the AI-Powered Classroom initiative, namely SK Pengkalan, SK Dato' Ishak, SMK Pangkor, and SMK Kampung Jambu.