UNICEF Study: Kerala's digital education model a global exemplar

Thiruvananthapuram: A recent UNICEF India study has praised Kerala's digital education initiatives (EdTech) as a model not just for other Indian states but also for middle-income and developed countries.

The report, titled "Empowering Adolescents with Future-Ready Skills: The Inspiring Story of Little KITEs," was published here on Saturday.

Ms. Rani George, Principal Secretary of the General Education Department, received the study report from Pramila Manoharan, UNICEF India Educational Specialist, in the presence of Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister, and V Sivankutty, Minister for General Education and Labour.

The study focused on the Little KITEs programme, the largest ICT Network of students in India, implemented by the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) across 2,174 high schools in the ate. Aligned with global and national efforts to develop future-ready skills alongside the United Nations’s global framework, the study offers 10 data-driven recommendations.

Kerala's KITE-led EdTech model, without relying on profit-driven vendors, is both scalable and adaptable, making it valuable for other regions.

The study emphasises that choosing Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) over proprietary software has technological, economic, social, and pedagogical benefits, as demonstrated by KITE's success.

The report notes that Kerala saved Rs 3000 crore by using open-source software, and even Finland has expressed interest in replicating the Little KITEs model.

The Little KITEs initiative contributes to Kerala's transformation into a knowledge society and economy, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills among children while addressing gender disparity in STEM fields by encouraging girls' participation.

Additionally, the programme has attracted students from private schools to enrol in public schools. A UNICEF study urges expanding Little KITEs' time and reach to all high schools and higher secondary levels. They also recommend involving local bodies and communities for increased investment in public education.

The report goes beyond commending Kerala's infrastructure, including the deployment of 9000 robotic kits and AI / IoT training for Little KITEs. KITE is training 80,000 teachers in AI, making it a unique model in the country. Little KITEs empower students to work independently in robotics and AI, transforming them from consumers of technology into designers and creators.

“In closing, it is evident that Little KITEs is a well-sown seed in the fertile ground of EdTech in Kerala. It has grown rapidly and has promoted a wide range of students across the public school system to explore creativity and problem-solving, to connect school to life in innovative ways, and to architect safe digital futures," the study concludes.

“The UNICEF study identifies the Little KITEs programme as a truly unique FOSS-based EdTech intervention, and we’re committed to sharing its success stories with other states and countries,” said Dr. Akila Radhakrishnan, Social Policy Specialist with UNICEF India.

"KITE seeks partnerships with UNICEF and others to bring Little KITEs to new regions. The study identifies areas to strengthen the Little KITEs program. We are also looking for FOSS community help to support AI development,” said K. Anvar Sadath, CEO of KITE.

The study report has been published on the UNICEF website.