Odisha, India, December 22, 2022: The Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) launched in India earlier this year is creating a positive impact, with a marked increase in attendance in schools.
With the Olympism-themed curriculum being integrated into the school education system in the state of Odisha, 32,000 children enrolled in 90 schools have already benefitted from the programme, leading to spikes in attendance and girls participating in sport.
One such example is at Vidyanagari Government Primary School, where student attendance grew by an average of 12 per cent in the first three months since the launch of the programme.
“The revised teaching methodology incorporating the Olympic Values Education Programme has been a game-changer for my school,” said Chanchla Kumari Barik, a 50-year-old teacher who has always had a keen interest in sport.
“The programme has resulted in an increase in school attendance. OVEP has provided me with a special tool that helps to engage students.”
At Laxmisagar Government High School, located in a remote village, it was common practice for girls to remain in the classroom while boys participated in physical education classes. However, since the introduction of OVEP, the trainers have been advocating mixed-gender activities and games, encouraging girls to be selected in teams and play along with boys.
Girls have also displayed leadership in various co-curricular activities in the school, including becoming captains of teams and taking the initiative more in classroom activities.
One of the first major IOC projects to be implemented in India, OVEP is being delivered in partnership with the Government of Odisha’s Department of School and Mass Education and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT). A 90-day report was recently presented during the IOC Commissions Cluster in November.
“India has emerged as one of the world’s youngest countries, with 58.7 per cent of the population below the age of 29,” said Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the founder of the ABFT.
“Interest in sport has increased rapidly over the past few years among the younger population, but only a small percentage of these young people will participate, and showcase their talent, in major competitions.
“For a larger percentage, they need something they can connect with and apply to their daily lives. In this regard, experiencing sport to develop values, stay active and follow role models can initiate a lifelong journey for young people. To build a stronger, inclusive and peaceful society, it is imperative to continue building interest and engagement by leveraging the power of sport.”
Once in full swing in India, the programme will reach around 29 million children.
Source: www.ioc.org
