The Tamil Nadu Tribal Welfare Department is collaborating with the FIDE Education Commission to introduce chess as an educational tool in schools serving disadvantaged tribal regions. This initiative aims to nurture life skills and cognitive abilities among students through structured classroom integration. A recent teacher training course in Chennai marked the beginning of this multi-phase program.
The state Tribal Welfare Department plans to embed chess into the curriculum of its schools in educationally disadvantaged tribal areas, fostering life skills and cognitive capacities. Working with the FIDE Education Commission, the educational arm of the International Chess Federation, the program views chess as a pedagogical tool to enhance broader learning outcomes.
The approach is multi-phased, starting with teacher training before full classroom integration. Teachers will receive capacity-building modules covering structured pedagogical strategies, digital tools, and activity-based methods. Interactive techniques, such as 'human chess' where students embody chess pieces, will help translate abstract ideas into practical movement, discussion, and role-play.
Unlike extracurricular clubs, this initiative integrates chess into regular classes as a sustainable, low-cost way to boost academic engagement and 21st-century competencies. "The idea is to use chess as a tool to empower children from marginalised communities, enhance equity in learning opportunities and improve overall educational outcomes," said G Lakshmi Priya, secretary to the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department. She spoke at the Chess in Education Preparation of Teachers course in Chennai, attended by 41 teachers from tribal welfare schools. Priya noted the program could reach thousands of tribal children in remote areas, providing access to innovative educational tools.
FIDE EDU secretary Rita Atkins contributed to localizing the FIDE Chess in Education curriculum for Indian classrooms and participated in the training. Trainers cited studies showing benefits in mathematics proficiency, reasoning, and executive functions from integrated chess programs. Implementation will feature phased online and in-person training, support materials, and monitoring, with blended models combining lessons and digital platforms.