Srinagar, Oct 25: Toycathon 2024, organized by SCERT J&K, has made remarkable strides, engaging over one lakh students from classes 6 to 12 across the Union Territory in three categories. This initiative has fostered creativity and enthusiasm among students, enabling them to design toys and games that promote joyful learning.
Under the visionary leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director of SCERT J&K, this initiative aims to foster creativity and skill development among students by encouraging them to create toys and games that enhance joyful learning experiences.
Following the successful completion of School Level Competitions, where more than 4,200 schools conducted Toycathon events, all District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) are gearing up to conduct the District Level Competition (DLC) for the shortlisted students. These students were meticulously selected through an online scrutiny process at the DIET level, and the DLC is scheduled to take place from October 21 to October 28, 2024. Each DIET is expected to organize the competition within this timeframe.
The event is being conducted in a blended mode, with some DIETs organizing it offline and others online. As of October 25, 14 DIETs have successfully completed their DLC process, with the remaining DIETs expected to conclude by October 28. Each DIET is required to submit a list of nine selected students (three from each category) who will participate in the Grand Finale.
Building on the success of Toycathon 2023, the first initiative of its kind by any State Council of Educational Research and Training in India, Toycathon 2024 promises to further enhance ideation, collaboration, and innovation in the toy sector across the Union Territory. This year, SCERT J&K continues to align with the “Make in India” vision by facilitating the intellectual property registration of students’ designs, ensuring that their innovative ideas are protected and recognized.
Notably, 115 students from Toycathon 2023 were felicitated with Certificates of Registration of Design by The Patent Office, Government of India, issued by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) in collaboration with JKSCERT. This marks a significant achievement as it is the first instance in India where such a large number of student designs were registered in record time.
As a pioneer in educational projects throughout Jammu and Kashmir, SCERT J&K is steadfast in its commitment to advancing innovation and quality in education. Toycathon 2024 is evidence of SCERT J&K’s commitment to encouraging ingenuity and originality in students, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in the upcoming Grand Finale.
