Recently, the Kerala government has launched an e-learning initiative titled ‘First Bell’. Amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, this scheme aims to provide education through virtual classes for students in state schools. These classes are being transmitted over a free to air, publicly-run television channel that can be accessed through cable networks, direct-to-home services, and also online.
Kerala’s Virtual Classroom Initiative
The virtual classes are being broadcast through the KITE VICTERS channel. In order to facilitate this, almost every village in Kerala offers at least one common centre, such as an anganwadi, a reading room, or sports club, where the education department can set up a classroom. The agency responsible for executing this project is the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), which has developed a comprehensive timetable for delivering the classes.
Educational Modules Development
Various agencies under the General Education Department like the State Council of Educational Research and Training, KITE, Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), and the State Institute of Educational Technology come together to prepare the modules for different classes.
Initial Challenges
Though the classes started on a trial basis from 1st June, 2020, the initiative illuminated the digital divide existing within the state. Out of the approximately 45 lakh students pursuing state board syllabus in Kerala, a survey found that 2.61 lakh students lacked access to either a TV or smartphone. This lack of essential technology prevented these students, primarily from destitute families, remote villages, and tribal areas, from connecting to the online classes.
Interventions and Solutions
In response to initial challenges, various interventions by both the government and civil society have managed to reduce the number of students lacking digital access, from 2.61 lakh to 1.20 lakh. A ‘TV challenge’ was launched by the State’s Industries department where local businesses contributed TV sets. Further, MLAs were permitted to use their local development fund to procure TVs and laptops for students.
Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education
The IT@School Project, commenced in 2001-02, aimed to advocate ICT-enabled education in state schools. In August 2017, IT@School was overhauled into KITE. Under the purview of KITE, the VICTERS (Versatile ICT Enabled Resource for Students) channel was established in 2005. This was the first dedicated educational Channel in India, symbolizing the country’s commitment to harness space technology (EDUSAT) for national development, specifically targeting the population residing in remote and rural areas.