Over the past two decades, Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), formerly IT@School, has led a digital transformation in Kerala’s education sector. Since 2001, KITE has advanced initiatives in teacher training, ICT content creation, and digital infrastructure. Today, its scope includes AI training for teachers, student robotics programs, and AI curriculum integration—making Kerala a global model for technology-enabled education.
Transforming Classrooms
As part of the state’s Public Education Rejuvenation Mission, KITE led the Hi-Tech School Project (2016–2019), converting 45,000 classrooms across 4,752 schools into hi-tech learning spaces. Each classroom was equipped with a laptop, projector, speakers, and access to SAMAGRA, KITE’s digital content portal. Following this, the Hi-Tech Lab Project extended similar upgrades to 11,257 primary schools. Over 450,000 ICT devices were deployed, supported by broadband internet and a robust support system, including maintenance contracts and a dedicated call center.
SAMAGRA: A Rich Digital Resource
The SAMAGRA Resource Portal provides textbooks, question banks, and multimedia content in Malayalam, English, Tamil, and Kannada, catering to students from Class 1 to 12. By offering curriculum-aligned digital content in multiple formats—images, videos, tutorials, and animations—SAMAGRA supports inclusive, engaging learning for both students and teachers.
Little KITEs: Building Future Innovators
Launched in 2018–19, Little KITEs IT Clubs encourage students from Class 8 onwards to explore emerging technologies. Selected through aptitude tests, members receive training in AI, robotics, 3D design, cyber safety, and more. In 2023–24, 29,000 Arduino Uno robotic kits were distributed, fostering hands-on learning. Clubs are evaluated annually to ensure quality and impact, encouraging knowledge-sharing and the social application of technology.
AI Training for Teachers
In 2024, KITE trained 80,000 teachers in AI through a three-day workshop covering summarization, data visualization, prompt engineering, and machine learning. Teachers also explored critical topics like deepfakes, privacy, and algorithmic bias. The training was widely lauded for its practical utility and for helping educators integrate AI into classrooms more effectively.
AI in Curriculum: A National First
Kerala became the first Indian state to include AI in the school curriculum in 2024. Class 7 ICT textbooks now feature a dedicated AI chapter with hands-on exercises like “Computer Vision,” where students create programs to detect facial expressions. Tools like PictoBlox teach visual programming alongside AI and robotics, promoting life skills and media literacy.
Samagra Plus AI: Personalized Learning
To better align with Kerala’s curriculum, KITE is developing Samagra Plus AI—an AI platform that supports lesson planning, resource curation, and personalized learning. It analyzes student profiles to suggest targeted interventions and improve English proficiency through interactive activities. Currently in prototype testing, this tool aims to enhance both teaching and learning experiences in AI-enabled classrooms.
Read more: Kerala’s Blueprint for Viksit Bharat
Global Recognition
By integrating AI, robotics, and FOSS tools, KITE has created an inclusive, tech-driven education model. Its initiatives reflect a strong commitment to equity, innovation, and excellence—positioning Kerala as a global leader in digital education. Through its visionary efforts, KITE is redefining the future of education and inspiring similar transformations worldwide.
Insights shared by: K Anvar Sadath, Chief Executive Officer, Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE)