The Jammu & Kashmir State Council of Educational Research & Training (JK-SCERT) on Saturday launched Toycathon 2024 with a renewed focus on promoting innovative ideas and reviving local heritage.
The event took place at JKBOSE Rehari Jammu, where dignitaries from JKBOSE, Department of School Education, Directorate of School Education Jammu and Kashmir, Department of Planning, Samagra Shiksha, and faculty of SCERT Jammu and DIETs joined both offline and online.
Toycathon 2023 witnessed unprecedented success, with approximately 1.25 lakh entries and 115 design registrations. This overwhelming response highlighted the immense creativity and talent among students in the region. Building on this momentum, Toycathon 2024 aims to further harness this creativity and emphasize the importance of preserving and promoting local heritage through innovative toys.
The brochure of Toycathon 2024 was launched by the Director of SCERT J&K, Prof. (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas, in the presence of all the dignitaries.
Similar to the previous edition, Toycathon 2024 focuses on developing toys and games that reflect innovative ideas, utilise regional resources, and revive our local heritage. The registration link, along with the QR code, was unveiled and made open for submission of entries.
Prof Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director of SCERT J&K, highlighted that the success of Toycathon 2023 reflects the enthusiasm and creativity of young minds in JKUT. He invited students from across the region to join in continuing this spirit of innovation and creativity.
He emphasized the importance of leveraging this platform to explore the potential of JKUT in sustaining a creative ecosystem for the development of games and toys, contributing towards an independent India and truly developed India.
He reiterated the necessity of promoting our indigenous toys worldwide in order to achieve the goals outlined in the NEP 2020. These toys, rooted in tradition and nature, embody the Indian value system, culture, and eco-friendly approach. By making them popular globally, we can showcase these aspects to the world.
The program aimed to raise awareness among educators about the significance of toys and games in enhancing the teaching-learning process. They serve as tools for cultural enrichment and help develop 21st-century skills in children. The Toycathon event will focus on themes such as regional culture, historical events, creative thinking, education, social values, and more.
The Toycathon event will have three categories for students from classes 6 to 12, divided into four phases. Participants must register through a Google form and submit their ideas following the specified format. The deadline for idea submission is July 31, 2024. The grand finale is scheduled for September/October 2024.
