Lucknow: In a major push towards modernising school education and preparing students for future careers, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an ambitious initiative to establish advanced “Dream Labs” in 600 government secondary and higher secondary schools across the state.
The project, launched under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, aims to equip students with practical knowledge of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Printing, Drone Technology, Electronics, Renewable Energy, and Advanced Manufacturing.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project was signed at the Directorate of Secondary Education in Lucknow between the state’s Secondary Education Department, NELCO Limited, a Tata Enterprise, and leading industrial partners in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma and Director General of School Education Monica Rani.
Officials described the initiative as a transformative step aimed at aligning school education with the demands of Industry 4.0 and the evolving global job market.
Addressing the event, Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma said the agreement represents an investment in the future of Uttar Pradesh’s youth. He emphasised that the rapidly changing industrial landscape requires students to develop technology-driven and employment-oriented skills alongside traditional academics.
Director General Monica Rani said the Dream Labs would redefine vocational education in schools by promoting hands-on learning and innovation. She stressed the importance of effective implementation through the hub-and-spoke model, quality instructor training, proper machinery installation, and result-oriented monitoring, especially in aspirational districts.
Under the project, all 75 districts of the state will be covered through a network of 150 hub schools and 450 spoke schools. The rollout will take place in three phases. In the first phase, Dream Labs will be established in 72 schools, followed by 144 schools in the second phase and 384 schools in the third phase.
The labs will function as innovation and skill development centres for students from Classes 9 to 12. Apart from AI and robotics, students will receive exposure to battery-operated electric vehicles, agriculture technology, design thinking, electronics, and advanced manufacturing systems through practical training modules.
The initiative has been designed in line with Skill India Mission, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). Officials said the goal is to nurture innovation, problem-solving abilities, entrepreneurship, and technical expertise among students to help them compete in the future global economy.
The project will operate on a five-year partnership model under the leadership of NELCO Limited, with industry partners providing advanced machinery, digital platforms, software support, and maintenance services. Industry experts will also train students and build teachers’ capacities to ensure long-term sustainability of the programme.
Representatives from global companies including Yaskawa, Mastercam, 3D Systems, AjnaLens, and ACE Micromatic participated in the programme and described the initiative as a strong bridge between education and industry.
Officials believe the Dream Labs project will play a key role in transforming Uttar Pradesh into a skilled, self-reliant, and innovation-driven economy while producing a new generation of technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs from the state’s government schools.
