DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS

The International Award for Young People (IAYP) is a journey of personal discovery of young people It is a non-competitive programme of voluntary activities in which young people, between the age of 14 and 25, are encouraged to develop personal qualities of self-reliance, responsibility to themselves and to society in general. Life skills cannot be learnt from Text Books. Self help, self reliance, leadership and perseverance have to be gained through experience and practiced in the world outside. International Award Scheme was started in 1956 to present young people with individual challenge. The programme is not a membership scheme. The participants are not selected for an Award. They earn it. The criteria for the Award is based upon individual effort and improvement, taking into account the participant's initial capacities.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS OF EACH OF THE FOUR AREAS:

At Gold level, participants must complete an additional requirement:
Residential Project: To broaden experience through involvement with others in a residential setting.

There are three levels of awards

AWARDS               DURATION            MINIMUM QUALIFYING AGE
BRONZE                3 months             over 14 and under 25
SILVER                  6 months              over 15 and under 25
GOLD                    12 months            over 16 and under 25

The other details are: For each award the participant has to fulfill the requirements of each of the four sections of the Award Programme in accordance with the conditions laid out which will be conveyed to the students participating. Each Award is separate and young people may enter for whichever they wish, provided they are over the minimum starting age. Those who achieve an Award receive the appropriate badge and certificate. Minimum age requirement to enter the programme at the bronze level, is “above 14 years. The lists of activities under the various sections of this programme are given below which are just an example of the type of activities to be undertaken. There may be many more for which the teacher in charge should be consulted. Service: Options available are- Adult Literacy, helping the sick or the handicapped, hospital volunteer work, Leadership, NCC Scouts and First Aid etc. Skills and Interest : Options are “Toy making, Eco-club, food-craft, Tie & Dye, Photography, Recycling, Weaving, Needle work, craft, Painting & Sketching, Cartoon making, Wall Painting, Clay modeling, Music, Dance, Drama, Clay Pot Painting etc. Physical Recreation: Options available are- Athletics, Cycling, Gymnastics Judo, Karate, Riding, Skating, Cross Country, Shooting, Boxing, Football, Badminton, Basket Ball, cricket, Hockey, Lawn Tennis, Volley Ball, Yoga, Kho-Kho, Squash etc. Adventure: The aim of this section is to encourage the spirit of adventure and discovery. Students are required to undertake adventure that involves journeying in the countryside, on waterways or at sea, concealed with a purpose. Travel by personal effort should be involved and without motorized assistance.

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