CHENNAI: Policymakers, teachers, students, researchers and education practitioners converged in Chennai on Friday for the third edition of Kalvi Kural: Dialogues on primary education for a thriving India.

Held under the theme “From Forests to Seeds”, the symposium focused on issues including the use of AI in classrooms, assessment practices, the suitability of uniform foundational learning models across diverse contexts, community participation and teacher mentoring. The event was organised by Madhi Foundation to discuss challenges facing foundational learning in India and Tamil Nadu specifically.

Pooja Kulkarni, CEO of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board, said, “Foundational learning should become part of the everyday functioning of schools rather than being treated as a time-bound programme. She stressed the need to align teaching, assessment, remediation and teacher support with clearly defined learning outcomes, while strengthening the involvement of parents and communities.”

Sessions during the day examined whether AI can adequately understand Indian classroom realities and whether a single foundational learning model can work across the country. Another panel considered whether education systems are measuring outcomes that matter to children’s learning. It also focused on community involvement, effective classrooms and mentoring for teachers. Students were given a direct role, with four students participating in a session on whether children are sufficiently consulted while designing schools.

C Devarajan, chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) TN State Council, bringing in the industry perspective, said, “I studied in a Tamil-medium school, and I know education has the power to transform lives. Our system must respond to the mental, physical and psychological needs of every child.