Copyright thehindu
The State government has rolled out the Kalika Deepa programme to help students from class 4 to 6 of government schools to enhance competency in mathematics, English, and Kannada, with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The programme was announced in the 2025-26 State Budget after a pilot project taken up in three schools in Koppal and Tumakuru in 2024-25 was deemed a success. In 1,145 schools The project being implemented in collaboration with the EkStep Foundation in 1,145 government primary schools with computer labs across the State will cover 1.44 lakh students this year. Plans are afoot to expand it to 2,000 more schools in the next phase. The project is being implemented under the supervision of the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) and Samagra Shikshana Karnataka. Several learning assessment reports, including Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), have flagged that government primary school children in the State are lagging behind in learning mathematics and English. Kalika Deepa, a learning programme through data-based technology (DBT), aims to remedy this situation. Activity-based In collaboration with DSERT, the EkStep Foundation has developed activity-based modules to help children learn using AI. There are videos and audio that teach children pronunciation and meaning of words, videos detailing how to write numbers, solve simple maths problems. It is also interactive and the AI-powered programme will answer any questions they raise. The aim is to help students learn language and mathematics through practice, interactive listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. Steps are now being taken to ensure Internet connectivity and headphones to students at each of these schools where the programme is being implemented. Pilot project Last year, the Kalika Deepa pilot project in three schools yielded good results. This has reduced reading difficulties among students and their learning deficit is being overcome. It is believed that this technology has improved the language proficiency of students and has also helped them in learning other subjects,” said an official of DSEL.
