->Keesal at 21:16, 16 October 2021

2021-10-16T21:16:14Z

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{{Short description|Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox Company
| name = Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE)
| native_name = {{lang|ml|കേരളാ ഇൻഫ്രാസ്ട്രക്ചർ & ടെക്നോളജി ഫോർ എഡ്യൂക്കേഷൻ (കൈറ്റ്)}}
| logo = KITE_Kerala_Logo.png
| type = [[Special purpose vehicle|SPV]]
| industry = [[Educational]]
| fate =
| former_name = IT@School
| successor = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|2017|08|07}} in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| founder = 
| defunct = 
| hq_location_city = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]]
| hq_location_country = [[India]]
| area_served = [[Kerala]]
| key_people = {{ubl|Prof. C. Raveendranath (Minister for General Education)|A Shajahan, IAS (Chairman)}}
| services = {{ubl|[[Victers TV]]|[[Information and communications technology|ICT]] Enabled Educational Services}}
| products =
| owner = [[Government of Kerala]]
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = 
| parent =[[Department of General and Higher Education (Kerala)]]
| website = {{url|https://kite.kerala.gov.in}}
}}

'''Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education''' ('''KITE''') is a state owned [[special purpose company]] under education department of the [[Government of Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/keralas-itschool-project-now-a-government-company-kite-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-launches-logo-4785993/|title=Kerala's 'IT@school' project now a government company 'KITE'|website=indianexpress.com|date=7 August 2017|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kite.kerala.gov.in/KITE/index.php/welcome/about_us|title=Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education|website=Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education about us page|accessdate=6 September 2018}}</ref> It was developed to support [[Information and communications technology|ICT]] enabled education for schools in Kerala. The erstwhile IT@School Project was transformed into KITE for extending its scope of operations in August 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/keralas-itschool-project-now-a-govt-company/article9805422.ece|title=Kerala's IT@school project now a govt company|website=www.thehindubusinessline.com|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/education/kerala-governments-it-school-project-formed-into-government-company-as-kite-1734509|title=Kerala Government's IT@school Project Formed Into Government Company|last=S|first=Shihaubudeen Kunju|date=7 August 2017|publisher=NDTV|access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref> KITE was the first [[Special purpose vehicle|SPV]] (Special Purpose Vehicle) company to get funded by [[KIIFB]] (Kerala Infrastructure and Investment Fund Board).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/070817/government-incorporates-itschool-as-kite-to-get-kiifb-funds.html|title=Government incorporates IT@school as KITE to get KIIFB funds|date=7 August 2017|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref>

== History ==
IT@School project was established in 2001 and IT campaigns were conducted statewide. Initially, Microsoft had shown interest in the IT@School project, but this was rejected and government went with [[Free and open-source software|Free Software]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=rediff.com: Gates to support Kerala's e-literacy project|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/12bill.htm|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref> In 2003, IT became a compulsory subject in state school curriculum with IT practical exams. The transition to Free Software was completed in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KITE|url=http://itschool.gov.in/glance.php|access-date=2021-03-16|website=itschool.gov.in}}</ref>

In 2017, IT@School project was promoted into a government company named KITE. This promotion from a project to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) gives company more freedom and authority to grow further and makes it eligible for receiving funding from [[Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board|KIIFB]]. KITE was the first new SPV of [[Nava Kerala Mission]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-07|title=Kerala's 'IT@school' project now a government company 'KITE', CM Vijayan launches logo|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/keralas-itschool-project-now-a-government-company-kite-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-launches-logo-4785993/|access-date=2021-03-16|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

==VICTERS==
{{Main|Victers TV}}
[[File:Logo_of_VICTERS_Channel.jpg|300px|thumb|New logo of Victers shows the signals pointing to form a pencil implying education, art and sharpness at one point.|right]]
KITE is the nodal agency for implementing the [[GSAT-3|EDUSAT]] network, and runs an exclusive channel for education called '''VICTERS (Versatile ICT Enabled Resource for Students)''', which is aired from 6am to 11pm. India's epoch making first broadband network on EDUSAT for schools, VICTERS was inaugurated by [[A P J Abdul Kalam]], the president of India, on 28 July 2005 in [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. VICTERS offers interactive virtual classrooms that enable the school students as well as the teachers to directly communicate with the subject experts and educationists. It also ensures the dissemination of high quality education to the students and teachers from the original source.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kite.kerala.gov.in/KITE/index.php/welcome/about_victers|title=KITE}}</ref>
==Training programmes==
[[File:It@schoolDSCN2395.JPG|thumb|Camera training for students]]
*'''ICT training''': Training given to familiarise the basics of [[operating system]]s and [[office software]] packages and other application software.
*'''Hardware training''': 3 day training programme on hardware maintenance and basic support.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080906003937/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/03/stories/2008090354112500.htm Hardware clinics for school computers]. The Hindu (2008-09-03). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
*'''Internet training''': This 20 hour training programme was given to all SITCs and interested school teachers. The trained SITC then trained all High School teachers in their school. The government also issued strict instructions that every student in Std X in the school should get at least 10 hours of internet exposure per year.
*'''IT training for the visually challenged''': In association with Insight scheme of Kerala State IT Mission, the Project has successfully imparted IT training using free software for teachers of special schools for visually challenged, by exclusively using free software based screen reading software named ORCA.<ref name="thehindu">[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2466727.ece IT@School initiative lauded]. The Hindu (2011-09-19). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
*'''Camera handling training''': Two day training on camera handling was given to the teachers, enabling them to create educational videos which could be beneficial in implementing ICT enabled education.
*'''Training on ICT enabled content''': Specific training on ICT enabled content was provided to teachers so as to enable them to use ICT enabled content in all subjects in order to equal teachers in classroom transaction.<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/content/164194/its-success-here.html IT's a great success here]. Deccanherald.com (2011-05-26). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
[[File:Video conference class for english teachers DSCN0123.JPG|thumb|Video conference class for English teachers]]
*'''Animation Training Programme for Students (ANTS)''': The project provided training in animated movie making entirely based on [[free and open source software]] such as [[TupiTube|KToon]], [[GIMP]], [[OpenShot Video Editor]] and [[Audacity (audio editor)|Audacity]].<ref>{{cite web|title=IT@School Animation Training for Students|url=https://www.itschool.gov.in/animation/}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article2425341.ece IT@School attempts a record]. The Hindu (2011-09-05). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
[[File:Animation training of itschool1.jpg|thumb|Animation training session in progress]]
== IT@School GNU/Linux ==
[[File:Itschool.png|thumb|Linux distro ''IT@School GNU/Linux'' logo]]
IT@School GNU/Linux is a [[Debian]] based [[Linux distribution]] that was created for the IT@School project to impart ICT education in public schools in the state. The distribution was originally developed by SPACE<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://swatantryam.blogspot.in/2007/08/story-of-free-software-in-kerala-india.html|title=Free as in Freedom: The Story of Free Software in Kerala, India|website=swatantryam.blogspot.in|date=31 August 2007|access-date=2016-07-31}}</ref> and is currently being maintained by the internal team at IT@School project.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/1245598|title=Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Education–IT@ School Project, Kerala, Region of India|journal=Journal of Free Software & Free …|access-date=2016-07-31|last1=Krishnaswamy|first1=Girija}}</ref>

==Content Development==
IT@School Project has rolled out several programmes which included the development of its own Operating System - IT@School GNU/Linux- which is now being used in all the schools in the state. Apart from this, several educational software like [[Dr. Geo]], [[Rasmol]], [[KTechLab|K-Tech lab]], [[Geogebra]], Chemtool, [[Kalzium]] etc. are being extensively customised by the Project in developing teacher friendly applications for facilitating complete ICT enabled education in the state. The project prepared interactive multimedia CDs, handbooks and training modules for ICT, as well as text books for IT. All content developed by the project was per the approach based on the ''National Curriculum Framework 2005''.
==FOSS initiatives==
Some of the free software applications developed or customized by the Project include the following.
#Application software like [[OpenOffice.org|OpenOffice]], [[GIMP]], [[Dr. Geo]], [[Rasmol]], [[KEduca]], [[Klab]] etc.
#Examination software – to conduct IT practical examination to more than 1.6 million students
#Handbook for [[Linux]] – prepared as a user manual
#Training modules in Linux – to train teachers in open source
#Textbook for standard 8th, 9th, and 10th classes– Prepared in association with SCERT
#ICT training programme based on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) for students who require special attention
#ICT training to all visually challenged teachers in the state using the free software – ORCA.<ref>[http://www.efytimes.com/e1/72549/fullnews.htm FOSS-Based ICT training for Kerala students] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427160429/http://www.efytimes.com/e1/72549/fullnews.htm |date=27 April 2015 }}. Efytimes.com (2011-11-03). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
==Public awareness==
The project also engaged in organizing statewide awareness campaign, exposing the everyday computer user to the possibilities and advantages of using Linux-based software. Resource persons of the IT@School project in these sessions, demonstrate how there is a [[free software]] alternative to each and every computer application that an average user requires on a daily basis.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110424124150/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/21/stories/2011042159052200.htm News Archives]. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
==E-governance==
IT@School project implemented several e-governance initiatives in the state. The major e-governance initiatives are the single window admission system and the online transfer and posting of technical assistance to teachers. The online transfer and posting of teachers benefits 60,000 teachers in the state. Some of the other e-governance initiatives of the project include the noon meal distribution computerization, youth festival software, pre-metric scholarship online, centralised online text book intend system, implementation of "Service Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala" (SPARK) within the general education department, total physical fitness programme software, etc.
== Implementation of SPARK ==
The "Service Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala" (SPARK) is a program of Department of Information Technology (DIT) of the state's government for digitizing the service book details of all employees of the state so that the database could be used for the decision makers and to ensure the welfare of the employees.
== School Wiki ==
[[File:Schoolwiki-logo.png|150px|right]]
School Wiki, modelled on Wikipedia, attempts to foster the culture of collaborative learning in Kerala's schools. The portal at [https://schoolwiki.in/%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BE%E0%B5%BE www.schoolwiki.in] provides a comprehensive knowledge database of all schools in the state. The innovative portal include the learning outcomes of students derived from group activities as well as various educational contents prepared by the teacher groups. This collaborative website is completely prepared in [[Malayalam (language)|Malayalam]].

All high schools in the state include their educational contents and other details in their allotted space. Each school would be able to enter details such as basic elementary data, their historical references, statistics, infrastructure details, details of alumni, school websites and blogs, various clubs and forums, class magazines, supporting images and videos. Apart from these contents, analytical language projects such as 'Pradeshika patram' – school newsletter, 'Nadodi Vijnanakoshan' – local encyclopedia and 'Ente Nadu' - 'My Village', which are part of learning Malayalam language, would also be entrusted to all students in Std 8, 9 and 10 respectively, which, under the guidance of language teachers, would be completed and the reports and findings would enrich the knowledge base of School Wiki. School Wiki also features an "ICT Learning Corner", which include the various contents prepared by schools for all subjects in ICT enabled education. By facilitating the students to access and modify all contents in School Wiki, the project also ensures the participation of the general public including school alumni.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article40498.ece School wiki getting ready for launch]. The Hindu (2009-10-29). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>

== Total Physical Fitness Programme software ==
The "Total Physical Fitness Programme" software manages fitness details of 30 lakh students are available for further action.

==Little KITEs==
‘Little KITEs’ IT Clubs is a unique<ref>{{Cite web|title=Little Kites|url=https://kite.kerala.gov.in/littlekites/lkms/|access-date=2021-03-18|website=kite.kerala.gov.in}}</ref> initiative of KITE, which feature over 1 lakh student members. The Hi-School Kuttikootam programme, which was part of the Public Education Rejuvenation Mission of the State Government, through which students were given intense training in 5 areas such as Animation, Cyber Safety, Malayalam Computing, Hardware and Electronics, has been structurally upgraded in Student Police Cadets model, thus becoming ‘Little KITEs IT Clubs’. Little KITEs is set to become the largest Student IT Network in the Country.

Hon. Chief Minister, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan has launched this unique initiative on 22 January 2018 at Thiruvananathapuram. In addition to the already identified 5 Core areas, more topics have been added such as Development of Mobile Apps, Programming, Robotics, E-Commerce, E-Governance, Video Documentation, Web TV etc. to the activity bouquet of 'Little KITEs`.

''Little KITEs Camps'' are the occasional IT camps conducted under the Little KITEs units.

{{multiple image
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Little kites1.jpg
| image2 = Little kites2.jpg
| footer = IT camps conducted under the Little KITEs units.
}}

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Category
! Year
|-
| National e-governance Awards
| Best project
| 2005
|-
| e-India Awards
|
| 2008<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080921154342/http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/04/stories/2008080456200500.htm IT@School bags national award]. The Hindu (2008-08-04). Retrieved on 2015-04-21.</ref>
|-
| World is Open Awards
|
| 2008<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://theworldisopen.in/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=1&Itemid=113&limitstart=20 |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425062652/http://theworldisopen.in/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=1&Itemid=113&limitstart=20 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| [[Open Document Format Alliance]] Awards
|
| 2009<ref>http://www.odfalliance.org/blog/index.php/site/2009/05/</ref>
|-
| Kerala state e-governance Awards
|
| 2010
|-
| Stockholm Challenge Awards
| Honorable mention in the education category
| 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockholmchallenge.org/project/2010/itschool-project-programme-ict-interventions-schools-kerala-india |access-date=22 August 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425030823/http://www.stockholmchallenge.org/project/2010/itschool-project-programme-ict-interventions-schools-kerala-india |archive-date=25 April 2012 | title=IT@School Project - programme for ICT interventions in schools in Kerala, India | publisher=Stockholm Challenge }}</ref>
|-
| e-India Awards
| Best skill development initiatives of the year for ''ANTS''
| 2011
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
www.kite.kerala.gov.in

[[Category:Education companies of India]]
[[Category:Education in Kerala]]

KITE Kerala - Revision history

->Keesal at 21:16, 16 October 2021