Kerala launches new school programs and a sports manual for differently-abled studentsKerala launches new school programs and a sports manual for differently-abled students

The Kerala government has announced a range of academic and non-academic initiatives in state-run schools, including India's first 'inclusive sports manual' for differently-abled children and a unique book for parents.

As part of the 'Helping Hand' initiative, the state will identify and support academically struggling children. The 'Beach-to-Bench' program focuses on the comprehensive development of coastal children, addressing academics, social skills, and sports.

State General Education Minister V Sivankutty introduced these initiatives for the 2024-25 academic year at a press conference. He highlighted a new book for parents created as part of the state's curriculum revision, the first of its kind in India. This book, available at four educational levels (lower primary, upper primary, high school, and higher secondary), details children's physical and mental development and emphasizes nurturing relationships between students, teachers, and parents. The Samagra Shiksha Kerala initiative will also offer training programs for parents.

The 'inclusive sports manual' aims to promote the sports talents of differently-abled children and ensure their participation, marking the first such initiative in the country. Competitions based on this manual will be held this year.

The 'Healthy Kids' program, developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), aims to ensure the physical and mental health of primary school children through sports and games, with two books already prepared and approved by the curriculum committee.

To support autistic children, the government will establish Model Autism Complexes in all 14 districts, with an investment of Rs 37.80 crore. A total of Rs 121.21 crore will be allocated to the 'inclusive education' program for differently-abled children. The annual school sports meet, scheduled for October 18-22 in Ernakulam district, will adopt an Olympic-style model with a special logo, theme, and song.

The curriculum revision also includes updating textbooks for Classes 11 and 12, starting this month. A national conclave featuring various national educational agencies will be held in October under the aegis of SCOLE-Kerala (State Council for Open and Lifelong Education-Kerala).

Kerala will be the first state to train school teachers in artificial intelligence (AI), with 20,460 teachers already trained in May. By 2025, all teachers in Kerala will have received AI training, Sivankutty added.