T’puram: Kerala will launch two major technology-driven initiatives, Digital Square and ARISE (AI & Robotics Initiatives for School Education), to strengthen digital learning and future-ready skills in schools across the state. Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) will implement the projects, which were announced at the state-level Little KITEs awards ceremony held at R Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall in the assembly complex on Tuesday.Presiding over the function, general education minister N Samsudheen said the Digital Square initiative, part of the govt’s 100-day action plan, will integrate technology into primary and UP schools. The project aims to promote a scientific, digital culture and encourage creativity among students from the foundational level.ARISE will cover all high schools by setting up advanced labs equipped with robotics kits. The project will provide teachers and students with hands-on training in areas such as AI, robotics, Internet of Things and drone technology.The minister also said the expansion of Little KITEs IT clubs to UP and HS levels will begin this academic year. He added that the newly formulated cyber safety protocol (2026) would be implemented in schools to ensure a safe digital environment for students.CM V D Satheesan, who inaugurated the event and distributed the awards, said platforms such as Little KITEs were essential at a time when technology and knowledge systems were changing rapidly. The event also recognized CSR support for the programme. Satheesan felicitated SBI and Cochin Shipyard for contributing Rs 40 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, respectively, towards deploying advanced robotics kits in public schools.At the state-level Little KITEs awards, AMMHSS Edayaranmula, Pathanamthitta, won the first prize of Rs 2.5 lakh for community intervention initiatives. GHS Kurumbala, Wayanad, secured the second prize of Rs 2 lakh for inclusive IT training for children with special needs and their parents. GGHSS Cotton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram, won the third prize of Rs 1.5 lakh. Deputy speaker Shanimol Osman, senior officials and KITE CEO K Anvar Sadath attended the event.
