In a pioneering move, the Tamil Nadu Tribal Welfare Department is set to introduce chess as an integrated educational tool in schools located in tribal regions. The initiative, aimed at promoting cognitive development and life skills among students, is being developed in collaboration with the FIDE Education Commission, the educational arm of the International Chess Federation.

Unlike traditional extracurricular chess clubs, the programme will embed chess into the classroom, making it a sustainable and low-cost intervention to improve academic engagement. Officials said the curriculum is designed to nurture reasoning, problem-solving, and 21st-century competencies while making learning interactive and engaging.

At the core of the programme is a multi-phase approach, beginning with teacher training sessions followed by gradual classroom integration. Teachers will be equipped with structured pedagogical strategies, activity-based learning methods, and digital tools to ensure effective implementation. Methods include innovative techniques such as ‘human chess,’ where students act as chess pieces to translate abstract concepts into interactive learning experiences.

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The initiative is expected to reach thousands of students in remote tribal areas, providing equitable access to innovative educational tools. G. Lakshmi Priya, Secretary to the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, emphasized that the programme aims to empower marginalized children and improve overall learning outcomes through structured chess instruction.

FIDE EDU Secretary Rita Atkins, who has localized the FIDE Chess in Education curriculum for Indian classrooms, participated in the teacher training programme in Chennai. She highlighted research showing that structured chess programmes in schools can enhance mathematics skills, executive functions, and reasoning abilities in students.

Implementation plans include a combination of online and in-person teacher training, instructional materials, and continuous monitoring to ensure effectiveness. Officials also plan to explore blended learning models, allowing students to engage with digital chess platforms while teachers build expertise in delivering the curriculum.

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