Education
AI courses for primary and secondary schools: how should schools plan them?
More and more schools want to add artificial intelligence (AI) to their curriculum, but they often face the same questions: what to teach, at which levels, how many lesson hours to give it, and whether to teach it in-house or bring in an outside provider. This article first summarises the Education Bureau’s official curriculum guidance, then goes through the practical arrangements one by one.
Education Bureau curriculum guidance
- Junior secondary: in 2023 the Education Bureau launched the Module on Artificial Intelligence for Junior Secondary Level, covering AI basics, AI ethics, computer vision, computer speech and language, virtual reality, robotics, societal impact and the future of work. The Education Bureau advises schools to allocate 10 to 14 hours to the module in the ICT knowledge category of the Technology Education Key Learning Area at junior secondary level (Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 109/2023).
- Primary: in June 2026 the Education Bureau released the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools and the AI Literacy Learning Framework for Primary and Secondary Schools. In July 2026 it issued the “Preliminary Study of Artificial Intelligence” Strand (Pilot Version) of the Information and Innovation Technology Curriculum Framework for Primary Schools, encouraging schools to plan school-based AI education early and to try it out in class (Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 113/2026).
In other words, junior secondary already has recommended lesson hours, while primary schools are at the trial and planning stage. Schools can start from the official frameworks and then decide what their school-based curriculum needs to add.
Set learning goals first
An AI course can cover a lot of ground, so it is worth deciding first what students should be able to do by the end. Common goals include:
- Understanding AI: what AI is, what it can do and where its limits are
- Using AI: completing work or solving problems with AI tools, such as generating images or 3D models, or getting help with coding
- Critical thinking: judging whether AI-generated content is accurate, and understanding issues such as privacy, copyright and bias
- Creating: using AI as a tool to produce a piece of work that is the student’s own
Choosing content by year level
| Lower primary | Upper primary | Junior secondary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | AI in everyday life | Creating with AI tools | How AI works and how it is used |
| Suitable activities | Learning about AI through games and stories | Creating images, 3D models and games | Project learning, coding and app development |
| Points to note | Mainly teacher demonstrations, with few student accounts | Student accounts and devices are needed | Discussion of ethics and social impact can be added |
Common formats for school-based courses
- School-based curriculum: built into regular lessons and arranged to fit the school’s curriculum and levels; suits schools planning a long-term programme
- After-school interest classes: run in small groups; suit schools that want to try it with some students first
- Workshops: short activities of one to a few sessions; good as an introduction or as part of a school activity day
- Student competitions and projects: let students apply what they have learnt to a complete piece of work and show it to an outside audience
Many schools start with a workshop or interest class, see how students respond and what teachers need, and then develop it into a school-based curriculum.
What affects course costs
- Total hours and number of classes: more hours and more classes mean a higher cost
- Teaching arrangements: whether an outside instructor teaches every lesson or co-teaches with the school’s teachers
- Software and platforms: whether AI tools or a teaching platform need a subscription, and the licence period and number of users
- Devices: whether the school already has enough tablets or computers, or needs to rent them
- Materials and outcomes: whether lesson plans, worksheets, assessments and a showcase of student work are included
When comparing quotes from different providers, list these items one by one so you are comparing like with like.
Before you start
- Decide the levels, subjects and lesson hours first, then choose the course content
- Check the terms of use of AI tools, as some services have age limits for users
- Have teachers take part in lessons, so the school can continue or teach the course itself later
- Keep student work and lesson records for review and sharing