KITE-led initiative will promote digital literacy, inclusive classrooms and technology-based teaching across government and aided schools
Kerala Launches – The Kerala Government has launched Digital Square, a statewide initiative designed to integrate technology into primary school classrooms and strengthen digital learning from the foundational years. Implemented by the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), the programme is part of the state’s 100-day Education Action Plan and aims to make classroom learning more interactive, inclusive and future-ready.
The initiative was inaugurated by General Education Minister N. Samsudheen at a statewide orientation workshop in Malappuram. The first Digital Square for primary students was opened at Kumbla Government School in Kasaragod, where students gained access to laptops, digital learning tools and a dedicated technology-enabled learning space.
Digital learning from the primary level
Digital Square focuses on students in Classes I to VII, covering lower-primary and upper-primary education. Unlike programmes that treat computers as a separate subject, the initiative integrates technology into everyday lessons.
Teachers can use multimedia presentations, animations, educational games, interactive activities and digital learning applications to explain concepts. This approach can help children understand difficult topics through visual and hands-on experiences rather than relying only on textbooks and lectures.
The programme is also expected to encourage children to learn through exploration, collaboration and problem-solving. Early exposure to technology can build confidence and prepare students for a future in which digital skills will be essential across almost every career.
FOSS-based education
A major feature of Kerala’s Digital Square programme is its use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Open-source tools reduce dependence on expensive proprietary licences and allow public schools to access adaptable educational resources at lower cost.
The software ecosystem may include learning applications, creative tools and age-appropriate digital content. This approach reflects Kerala’s long-standing emphasis on using technology to expand access while maintaining affordability and flexibility.
Inclusive classrooms for every child
Digital Square has been designed to support children with diverse learning needs. Accessibility features can help Children with Special Needs (CwSN) participate in group activities alongside their classmates.
The programme’s accessibility tools can also benefit other students by improving listening, reading, language learning and visual comprehension. The current phase is expected to reach around 6,000 government and aided schools, covering approximately half of Kerala’s primary and upper-primary institutions.
Teacher training is central
Technology can improve learning only when teachers know how to use it effectively. Digital Square therefore includes leadership orientation, digital pedagogy workshops, hands-on training and continuous mentoring.
KITE has already trained nearly 11,000 headmasters across Kerala’s 14 districts. Master trainers will now support designated Primary School IT Coordinators and selected teachers, who will act as school-level mentors for their colleagues. This step-by-step model is intended to ensure that digital classrooms become part of regular teaching rather than occasional demonstrations.
Building on Kerala’s digital education record
KITE has previously implemented ICT-enabled classrooms, digital content, teacher training, educational television and school technology infrastructure across Kerala. Digital Square builds on that experience by extending structured technology use to the earliest stages of schooling.
The programme also complements ARISE, Kerala’s AI and Robotics Initiative for School Education, which aims to establish AI and robotics hubs in high schools. Together, the two initiatives create a long-term pathway from foundational digital literacy to advanced technology edlearning
Supporting NEP 2020 goals
Digital Square aligns with the National Education Policy 2020’s focus on foundational literacy, experiential learning, digital inclusion, teacher empowerment and skill-based education. It aims to reduce the digital divide by giving students in government schools access to modern learning tools.
If implemented effectively, Kerala’s Digital Square initiative could become a model for other states seeking to modernise public education. Its emphasis on technology, open-source software, accessibility and teacher training makes it more than a classroom upgrade—it is an attempt to create a complete digital learning ecosystem for young learners.
Conclusion
Kerala’s Digital Square initiative marks an important step toward making technology-enabled learning a regular part of primary education. By integrating digital tools, Free and Open Source Software, accessibility features and activity-based learning into everyday classrooms, the programme aims to strengthen digital literacy from an early age while creating more inclusive learning environments.
The initiative’s strong focus on teacher training and school-level mentoring could play a crucial role in ensuring that technology is used meaningfully rather than simply added as infrastructure. With around 6,000 government and aided schools expected to benefit, Digital Square has the potential to reduce the digital divide and improve access to modern learning opportunities across Kerala. Combined with initiatives such as ARISE, it also creates a progressive pathway from foundational digital skills to advanced learning in AI and robotics.
FAQs
1. What is Kerala’s Digital Square initiative?
Digital Square is a technology-based education initiative launched by the Kerala Government and implemented by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE). It aims to integrate digital tools and interactive learning methods into primary and upper-primary classrooms.
2. Which students will benefit from Digital Square?
The programme primarily targets students studying in Classes I to VII in government and aided schools across Kerala.
3. How many schools are expected to be covered under Digital Square?
The current phase of the initiative is expected to reach approximately 6,000 government and aided schools across Kerala.
4. What technologies will be used under the Digital Square programme?
Schools can use laptops, multimedia content, animations, educational games, interactive activities, digital learning applications and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) to support classroom teaching and learning.
5. How are teachers being prepared for Digital Square?
KITE is conducting leadership orientation, digital pedagogy workshops, hands-on training and mentoring programmes. Nearly 11,000 headmasters have already received training, while Primary School IT Coordinators and selected teachers will provide further support at the school level.