Class 10 AI Exam Sparks Debate Over Python Programming Questions In Bengaluru Schools

A 10th-grade question paper left an assistant professor from Bengaluru's Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) astonished when it tasked students with writing Python programs for chatbots.

The question paper, which was shared on social media, sparked a debate about the modernisation of school curricula.

Photo Credit: WISE

Professor Deepak Sabramani highlighted the issue in a post on X.

"A relative called today seeking help for their 10th-grade child's AI exam. I asked for the question paper and was shocked. How does one write a 'Python program for a simple chatbot' for 4 marks? Is the school serious????" he wrote.

He also shared an image of the paper, which included questions such as, "Write a Python program for simple sentiment analysis" and "Write a Python program for simple spam detection."

Several schools in Bengaluru have incorporated artificial intelligence-related subjects into their curriculum, particularly for higher-grade students.

Opinions on the matter are divided. Some argue that these topics are essential for a child's overall development, while others believe they place an undue burden on students.

One user commented, "It can be written in a few lines, but that's not the point. Children should learn to explore maths and science computationally, plot data from physics experiments, or graph linear equations they encounter in high school, and write code to simulate the inverse square law."

Another said, "This is what happens when CBSE introduces a subject called AI for Grade 10 exams. While their learning outcomes on paper are somewhat reasonable, how it is taught and assessed is another story."

A third user criticised the approach, suggesting it stifles creativity.

"These questions are designed to permanently kill curiosity about coding and computer science. Given the lack of CS jobs and the rise of AI, I think this is a deliberate strategy to inspire students to pursue other careers like frying pakoras or selling tea," they wrote.