THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
The IT@School project set up in 2001 to integrate information and communication technologies in schools has been converted into a company, ‘Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education(KITE).
A press note issued here said KITE’s logo was unveiled here on Sunday by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The prime reason why KITE was set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle was to avail of funding from KIIFB
The new company would also be able to extended its activities to institutions of higher learning. KITE would now work closely with arts and science colleges, engineering colleges and universities. KITE is the first SPV to be formed after the setting up of the Nava Kerala Mission by the state government.
The IT@SChool ’s first moment in the spotlight came when in 2005 IT was made a compulsory subjects in standard 10, the press note said. The launch of the EDUSAT and broadband connectivity to schools followed. The VICTERS was among the first educational channels of its kind.
“By effectively making use of the Centrally sponsored ‘ICT at School’ scheme, IT@School provided ICT infrastructure to 4071 schoolring 2007-2012. In 2016, IT@School re-initiated the ICT intervention in Lower Primary and Upper Primary sections, by launching exclusive ICT Textbooks namely Kalipetti and e@Vidya ,” the press note said. As many as 1.50 Lakh teachers from Std 1 to 12 have been empowered with ICT skills, enabling them to transact their subjects more effectively using ICT tools. IT@School provided critical backup for the Public Education Rejuvenation programme through such as Samagra Content Portal, Sampoorna School Management software and SchoolWiki which connects 15,000 schools for collaborative content development process.
A major recent highlight of IT@School was the ‘Hi School Kuttikootam’ programme under which over 1 lakh students are being provided specialized trainings in 5 different areas such as Animation, Cyber Safety, Hardware, Electronics and Malayalam computing.
“KITE has already started the implementation of Hi-Tech school programme of the Education Department, by which 45000 classrooms in 4775 schools are being made Hi-Tech, for which KIFFB has already approved a funding of Rs.493.50 Crores,”the press note said..
Usha Titus, Secretary, General Education Department has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of KITE whereas K.Anvar Sadath, Executive Director of IT@School is the Vice Chairman and Executive Director, and Shri.K.V.Mohan Kumar, Director of Public Instruction is the Director Board Member. KITE would set a dedicated wing for managing infrastructure development activities, the press note added.
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