KITE to set up hi-tech labs in lower primary & upper primary schools in six months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) of Rs 300cr to the state government for setting up hi-tech labs in lower primary & upper primary schools in the state. The hi-tech lab project is an extension of the hi-tech school project launched by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in January this year. The school project was completed in six months.

The lab project, which was announced in this year's state budget, would be funded by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). As per the DPR, the entire process would be completed within six months. Schools with an average student strength of seven or more in a division has been considered for the project. Student strength is not a major criterion for special and tribal schools.

The project aims to cover 9,941 government & aided schools in the state. This will include 5,396 primary schools, 2,565 upper primary schools and 1,980 high school-attached LP/UP schools. The plan is to equip each school with laptops and USB speakers, multimedia projectors, multi-function printer and 42" LED TV.

The schools would also be provided with high-speed broadband internet connectivity.

A total of 65,177 laptops and USB speakers, 26,579 multimedia projectors, 5,644 multi-function printers and 3,248 42" LED televisions would be distributed. Each equipment would carry a five-year comprehensive warranty and insurance protection. A web-portal for complaint registration along with a call-centre facility would ensure timely complaint redressal.

"The Information & Communication Technology (ICT) equipment are deployed in labs in such a manner that those can be taken to classrooms as and when required. If required, the schools can install the equipment permanently in a classroom or two. For this, the classroom should be electrified and well painted. KITE would initiate a survey to assess whether secured and electrified classrooms are available at schools and the actual deployment of equipment would be undertaken only after this," KITE vice-chairman and executive director K Anvar Sadath said.