KITE GNU/Linux 22.04: Kerala’s Open-Source OS for School Education

Kerala, a southern state in India, has consistently led the way in embracing free and open-source software (FOSS) across public services. Since 2006, the state has championed a transition to open technologies, and this is most visible in education, where FOSS has been part of the school curriculum for nearly two decades.

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Open Source in Kerala’s School Curriculum

From primary school onward, Kerala students use open-source software for their computer education - covering everyday tasks like word processing, painting, and multimedia. Python programming is part of the 10th standard syllabus, and as of the current curriculum, Class VII students are also introduced to AI and machine learning concepts, which KITE GNU/Linux supports with dedicated learning tools.

From IT@School to KITE GNU/Linux

The project began in the mid-2000s as IT@School GNU/Linux, a Debian-based distribution built for Kerala’s schools, first released in 2006. In 2008, the first batch of students completed their 10th standard IT practical exam using GNU/Linux.

The project later moved to an Ubuntu LTS base and was renamed KITE GNU/Linux, after KITE (Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education) - the government body that now runs it. Earlier entries in this series include IT@School GNU/Linux 18.04 and KITE GNU/Linux 20.04.

What’s New in KITE GNU/Linux 22.04

KITE GNU/Linux 22.04 is built on Ubuntu and switches to the Wayland display protocol, which performs better than the older Xorg system used on most existing school computers. The distribution ships with over 125 educational applications, including:

Learning tools: GCompris, Tux Paint, GeoGebra, and Scratch
Creative tools: Krita and Blender for animation, audio-video editing, and graphic design
AI and emerging tech: offline resources for AI, machine learning, and robotics, aligned with the Class VII AI curriculum
Malayalam computing: tools for typing and working in the local language
Office and professional software: LibreOffice, desktop publishing, and database tools

According to KITE, the move to free software has replaced costly licensed software on around 200,000 computers across Kerala’s schools, saving an estimated ₹3,000 crore for the state.