SAIYAM Olympiad
Activity-Based Programme for Addiction Prevention
Overview
SAIYAM Olympiad is an activity-based learning initiative designed to prevent addiction among adolescents by building awareness, reflection, and responsible decision-making. The programme engages students through discussions, creative activities, and experiential learning, helping them understand the harmful effects of addictions such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, mobile gaming, and other behavioural dependencies. The initiative combines classroom learning, student-led activities, and a digital platform to track participation and learning outcomes. The programme is implemented by VOPA in collaboration with education institutions and supported by partners including Parivartan Trust and Tarachand Ramnath Seva Trust.
Project Objectives
- Build awareness among adolescents about addiction and its consequences.
- Encourage critical thinking and responsible decision-making.
- Promote activity-based learning methods aligned with NEP 2020.
- Engage schools in preventive education programmes.
- Create a structured system for monitoring and documenting student learning.
The Problem
Adolescents in India face increasing exposure to addiction, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and behavioural dependencies including mobile gaming, with limited structured prevention education in schools. Most school curricula do not provide dedicated space for addiction awareness or responsible decision-making. Without early intervention, adolescents are vulnerable to long-term health and social consequences.
The Solution
The SAIYAM Olympiad combines activity-based learning with a structured digital platform. Students engage with real-life situations, creative activities, and peer discussions, moving from awareness to action. The programme is aligned with NEP 2020 principles of experiential and activity-based learning.
Implementation Approach
Students learn about different forms of addiction and their social and health consequences.
Students reflect on real-life situations and discuss how addiction affects individuals and families.
Students participate in activities such as poster making, street plays, discussions, and creative expression.
Students apply the learning in their daily lives and share awareness with peers and families.
Implementation
The programme is implemented in phases across government schools in Pune, in partnership with DIET Pune, Pune Municipal Corporation Education Department, and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Schools are onboarded on the SAIYAM digital platform, mentors and teachers are trained, and students participate in structured activities tracked through the platform.
Scale & Reach
Teacher Capacity Building
Teacher training plays a critical role in the success of the programme.
Baseline Assessment
Baseline surveys were conducted to understand students' awareness levels regarding addiction. The assessment covered knowledge, behaviour, attitudes, and higher-order thinking.
Digital Platform
The programme is supported by a dedicated digital platform for student registration, activity tracking, progress documentation, and Olympiad examination preparation.
https://saiyamdigital.com/Activity-Based Learning
Students participate in various creative and reflective activities to explore addiction prevention through creativity and peer interaction.
Impact
Strong early-phase school and mentor engagement across Pune.
Over 9,100 students registered on the SAIYAM Digital platform across participating schools.
Government-backed implementation enabling rapid and sustainable scale.
Measurable improvement in student awareness of addiction risks.
Case Story
A Drawing That Changed a Family
A student participating in the SAIYAM Olympiad created a drawing about the harmful effects of alcohol addiction. Her father, who struggled with alcohol dependency, saw the drawing at home. The message deeply affected him. Over time, he decided to move away from addiction after realising how his behaviour affected his daughter and family. This example illustrates how the programme's impact extends beyond schools and reaches families and communities.
Key Learnings
Activity-based learning encourages stronger engagement among students.
Continuous teacher support is essential for programme adoption.
Government collaboration helps scale implementation effectively.
School ownership and motivation are key factors in successful implementation.
Next Phase
- Expand participation across more schools in the district
- Conduct the SAIYAM Olympiad examination
- Complete endline assessments to measure learning impact
- Recognise students and schools through a felicitation programme
- Strengthen documentation and reporting systems