Delhi-based Learning Links Foundation (LLF on April 5 launched ‘Learning Olympiads’- a series of Olympiads in New Delhi. ‘Digital Citizenship & Cyber Wellness Olympiad 2017-18’ (DCCWO) is the theme of the first Olympiad under the series. This Olympiad emerged out of the growing popularity of technology in daily life today but lacking awareness towards being safe online and the knowledge of cyber laws related to the same. The Olympiads are meant for students of class 3-12 under two categories i.e. BASIC and ADVANCE, educators of K-12 and for community across rural and urban belts of India. While the Olympiad is free for students and educators of government schools Pan-India, the private/public school students will pay a nominal fee of INR 300/- per participant per Olympiad (including learning material) only towards maintenance of the online Olympiad portal and to manage communication. Participation in DCCWO is open till July 31’2017. Future series of Olympiads will be announced before closure of DCCWO 2017-18. The content has been endorsed by NeGD, Digital India, UNICEF, NPSE and others,
Participants will get an opportunity to be part of Achiever’s Club if they score more than 95% thus getting an opportunity to be part of future programs being designed by government and private sector in association with Learning Links Foundation.
A panel discussion on the occasion, titled “Cyber Space for Young India” brought out the global issues, concerns, perspective and possible solutions along with the importance of making everyone aware of responsible use of technology. Panelists included Andrew Mawson, Chief- Child Rights & Business (CRB) – UNICEF, Pawan Duggal- well known cyber security expert, Ashok Pandey- NPSC Chairman & Principal Ahlcon International School, and. Meera Balachandran, Director of Education Quality Foundation of India. (EQFI). Duggal emphasized the need of increasing the awareness digital legality among children through integrated curriculum from as early as class 1 given the nature of cyberspace and crimes associated with it. Andrew Mawson said that there is need to understand how children used web before arriving at some definite conclusions. Recycling of e-waste is a huge issue and needs to be addressed by school community.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anjlee Prakash, Founder and Chairperson of Learning Links Foundation said, “We wish to encourage each individual to participate in adopting, adapting and automating simple tasks as fundamental principles of learning thereby opening more job opportunities for our future generations. Since we are today in a digital era, this Olympiad is a contribution towards making our young generation smart and responsible Netizens. LLF considers this Olympiad more as a cause rather than an isolated program or contest”
