GREEN Olympiad Report 2021, students' activities pertaining to environment education

1. Implementation Report:
GREEN Olympiad 2021-22
India’s Premier Examination on Environment,
Sustainable Development and Green Skills

2. Contents of the Presentation
• About the Project
• GREEN Olympiad 2021: Activities Overview
– Journey of 20 years
– Dates and timeline in 2021
– Registrations and inflows in 2021
– Expenditure and its comparatives from earlier years
– Team Composition in 2021
• An Update on Implementation of New Strategies (post June 2021)
– Increase student participation per school
– Increase overall outreach
– Additional features to strengthen the project
• Challenges during COVID Outbreak and possible areas that led to drop of
registrations in 2021
– Value preposition of GO in comparison with other players/ competitors
• Roadmap for GREEN Olympiad 2022-23
Environment Education and Awareness

3. • Initiated in 1999, GREEN Olympiad reaches out to school students in India and
abroad. An online mode of examination adopted since 2020
• Introduction of dual themes in 2021 to enhance outreach and revenue:
Environment & Sustainable Development; and Green Skills
• Continuing endorsements from UNESCO, CBSE, KVS, SCERT, UNU-
RCE, UNESCO ESD; and the most recent from NSDC in 2021
• Star features of GO 2021- Multi-stakeholders’ meeting, workshops,
dedicated website (4 lakh visitors annually).
• International presence through participation from 17 countries in 2021
About the Project

4. GREEN Olympiad- A Journey of over 2 Decades*
On Earth Day 1999, TERI with MOEF, GoI launched
GREEN Olympiad in 10 cities with 3000 students
1999
2002 2004
2006 2009
• More than 45,000
students from all
over the country
and abroad
• Partnership with
DD1 and shot for
first Terraquiz
• Endorsement of KVS • Partnership with Agilent Technologies
• Development of bilingual paper
• Identified Coordinator for UAE
Mention of GO
in Limca Book
of Records
Involvement of
NGC coordinators
through MoEF
Environment Education and Awareness
2014
• Introduced GO Junior for
classes 4-5
• Examination held in
regional languages in
Puducherry, Assam and
Karnataka for government
schools
• Identified Coordinator for
Kuwait
• Series of workshops
organized across India for
enhancing participation
2016
• Introducing 3
levels of
examination
• Identified
Coordinator s
for Singapore ,
Qatar and
Russia
2018
• Identified Coordinator for
The Bahamas
• Examination conducted
online for schools outside
India
2012
• Received CBSE
endorsement
• Online registrations
2020
• Inclusion of 2
themes
• Endorsement
by NDSC
2021
• Examination
conducted
online
• Individual
registration
• Classes 11-12
involved along
with colleges
* A broad overview of milestones are mentioned, due to space crunch

5. Milestones of GREEN Olympiad 2021 – 22
• The project follows the academic cycle (April 2021 – March 2022).
• Development of strategy document and approvals: April – May 2021
• Registration: Launched on World Environment Day 2021. The registration was open till 15
October 2021.
• Content preparation: 8 sets of question papers prepared and validated. In addition sample
papers were also developed.
• Inputs from IT: Finalisation of online features for smooth conduct of examination.
Continuous discussions and testing to ensure a smooth conduct of examination.
• Inputs from Accounts: April 2021- October 2021: Payment gateway finalised and tested for
launch. Continuous discussions to create a hassle free pathway. Tally of inflow with each
registration.
• Examination dates
o Environment and Sustainable Development: 10 – 15 November 2021
o Repeat slots: 18 – 21 November 2021
o Green Skills + Environment and Sustainable Development: 06 – 11 December 2021
o Repeat slots: 20-24 December 2021
• Prizes and Results: Results were announced in January 2022, followed by virtual felicitation
of winners at WSDS 2022.
Environment Education and Awareness

6. GREEN Olympiad Timeline (2021 – 22)
S. No. Activity
Apr-
21
May-
21
Jun-
21
Jul-
21
Aug-
21
Sep-
21
Oct-
21
Nov-
21
Dec-
21
Jan
-22
Feb-
22
Mar-
22
1 Development of strategy note
2 Development of proposal for sponsorship and prizes
3 Development of poster, content, registration form
4 Writing to agencies for endorsements
5 Multiple meetings with IT for webpage updates
6 Steering Committee Meeting
7
Multiple discussions with Accounts for online
payments
8
Launch of the registration process- bulk mailers,
social media, intranet and web announcements
9
Series of 2 webinars for preparation of GO
examination
10 Invitation to schools and individuals
11
Collating entries with payments, sending mailers on
username, password, examination slots, etc
12 Development of question paper
13 Examination dates
14
Announcement of results on the web page, social
media, intranet, etc
15 Certificate dissemination
16 Report

7. Revenue inflow and expenditure
REVENUE (INR) EXPENDITURE (INR) SAVINGS (INR)
38.71 Lakh 49,363 38.21 Lakh
An amount of INR 1.98 Lakh is also transferred from WSDS Secretariat towards prizes for the winners.
Registrations
Themes Numbers
Environment& Sustainable Development 22301
Green Skills + Environment & Sustainable
Development
8942
Registrations, Revenue inflow and Expenditure: an Update (2021-22)
EXPENDITURE HEADS AMOUNT (in Rs)
Consumables 17,563
Sundry expenses - bank charges etc. 100
Programme expenses 1,700
Server Cost 30,000
Total 49,363
Details of expenditure in 2021

8. Comparison of expenditure of last 4 years
Year Expenditure Amount (INR)
2019
Consumables 110,200.00
Programme expenses 5,000,000.00
Stationery & Printing 1,500,000.00
Publication Expenses 700,000.00
Total 7,310,200.00
Year Expenditure Amount (INR)
2020
Consumables 13,000.00
Programme expenses 117,741.00
Total 130,741.00
Year Expenditure Amount (INR)
2021
Consumables 17,563.54
Sundry expenses 100.00
Programme expenses 31,700.00
Total 49363.54
• The examination held in 2018 and 2019 was offline, while the examination in 2020 and 2021 were online.
• The table present a comparative of the expenditures occurred in last three years.
• While the inflow in 2019 was over 1 crore, there was an expenditure of approx. Rs 73,00,000
• While in the COVID period, the expenditure were internal and team was able to save on the outflows. Thus retaining a
major part of the revenue
Year Expenditure Amount (INR)
2018
Publication Expenses 1,314,276.00
Service tax and Cess 760,655.00
Sundry expenses 53,348.20
Stationery, printing, etc. 73,197.00
Communication expenses 468,923.00
Legal Fees and Audit Fees 10,500.00
Programme expenses 2,691,363.00
Professional costs - external 345,451.00
Total 57,17,713.20

9. Savings (in %): a comparative between offline and online examination
REVENUE (INR) Revenue (INR in Lakhs) SAVINGS (%)
2018 121.00 47%
2019 195.00 62.5%
2020 46.67 97%
2021 38.71 98.72%
2018 / 2019 Offline examination
2020/2021 Online examination
Environment Education and Awareness

10. Composition of Team in 2021
Core Team Members: Ms Taru Mehta, Mr Saju V K, Dr Livleen K Kahlon, Mr M B Prakash,
Ms Tanvi Sharma, Ms Shabana M Kazi, Mr K M Girish, Ms Neha
Outreach Team members: Ms Taru Mehta, Mr Saju V K, Ms Tanvi Sharma, Ms Shabana M
Kazi, Mr K M Girish, Ms Saltanat M Kazi, Ms P S Harika, Ms Monmi Barua and Mr Ravi
Sankar Das
Subject Matter Experts: Dr Livleen Kahlon, Mr Siddharth Edake, Ms Neha Pahuja, Ms Sonia
Grover, Ms Anju Goel, Mr Manish Pandey
TERI Press: Mr Abhas Mukherjee, Mr Santosh Gautam
Information Technology: Mr Amit Kumar Singhal, Mr Varun Prakash Pandey, Ms Ashriti
Gupta, Mr Rohit Chauhan, Mr Vir Bahadur Singh, Mr Anshuman Singh and Ms Aarti Parmar

11. An Update on Implementation of New Strategies
(post June 2021)
Environment Education and Awareness
S. No. Strategy Plan for Adoption
I Increase Participation per School
A Involve teachers for
state level workshops
Conducted 13 workshops covering all states and UTs and reached out to approx.
1800 teachers.
Weekly reminders have gone to the entire database of schools during
registration cycle.
B Students’ webinar Conducted a webinar for all the registered students and reached out to
approximately 10000 students via WebEx and YouTube streaming.
C Prizes e-Certificates were distributed to all the participating students along with merit
and distinction certificates. Secured Rs 198,000 from WSDS Secretariat for
Global and Country Winners. The names of the winners are uploaded on the
website.
D School categorization Due to school closure, schools and individuals registrations were accepted.
Hence number of schools were limited. School categorization was undertaken
from 0 – 50 students and 51 – 100 students. There was no school for over 100
participants.
E Audio/video clip A video clip was developed for explaining the registration process, which has a
reach of 12000 viewers on TERI’s YouTube channel
F Sample paper Question bank was developed, but linking on the website may happen in the
pre-registration phase (2022-23)

12. An Update on New Strategies (post June 2021) contd.
Environment Education and Awareness
S. No. Strategy Plan for Adoption
II Increase Reach
A Database of schools Maintained. To be streamlined further through school coding. This
may be undertaken in the pre registration phase (2022-2023), after
clearance from IT.
B Retention program GO database is used to introduce any new projects within TERI.
C District wise competitions This may be implemented through different projects and subject to
availability of funds
D Endorsements Secured endorsement from UNESCO, CBSE, KVS, SCERT. This year a
new addition is NSDC in order to promote participation for green
skills. International endorsement is through RCE network (UNU
IAS) and UNESCO ESD for 2030 network.
F Seeking sponsorship Approached BEE, ISKCON, Paytm Foundation and SBI Life

13. Project activities (not listed in the June 2021 strategy document)
Environment Education and Awareness
S. No. Strategy Plan for Adoption
III Additional Work
A GO Multi Stakeholders’ Meeting The meeting was organized on 04 August 2021, to seek
suggestions and adopt corrective measures from regional and
national stakeholders in the education fraternity
B Communication and Outreach Social media posts, write-up in TerraGreen magazine, cross
promotion through community radio- Kumaon Vani and through
partners such as POP Movement, Bal Bharati Schools, British
Council, DST, etc.
C Internal review by Amb. Ajai
Malhotra, Distinguished Fellow &
Sr. Advisor (Climate Change), TERI
The meeting was organized on 25 August, to seek suggestions and
adopt corrective measures
D Question papers Developed question papers for Environment & Sustainable
Development and Green Skills in four difficulty levels.
E Development of IEC material Development of posters and inforgraphic for cross promotions and
mailers
F Projection through WSDS 2022 Secured prizes, virtual felicitation during youth plenary and
featured on WSDS website and bulletin

14. Saturday, 19 August 2023
A Quick Recap on Work initiated as per recommendations of
the GO Strategy (June 2021)

15. I. Increase Participation per School
Environment Education and Awareness

16. • No. of workshops- 13
• Dates: 07 – 30 September
• No. of dignitaries and SMEs- 30
• No. of teachers- 1800
• Outreach team members: Ms Taru
Mehta, Mr Saju V K, Ms Tanvi
Sharma, Ms Shabana M Kazi, Mr K
M Girish, Ms Saltanat M Kazi, Ms P
S Harika, Ms Monmi Barua and Mr
Ravi Sankar Das
Environment Education and Awareness
State Level Workshops

17. Students’ Webinar
Slide No. ( 17 of 7)
Environment Education and Awareness
• Date: 01 November 2021
• Outreach: 1564 via Webex and approximately
11,000 views on YouTube.
• Features: Overview of examination process,
introduction of the examination platform and
sample quiz on environment, sustainable
development and green skills

18. Prizes
• e-Certificates for all the
participants (in 3
categories - Distinction,
Merit and Participation)
• Book vouchers for 18
Global Winners
• Book vouchers for 71
Country Winners.
• e-Certificates for teacher
coordinators.
• Internship opportunities
for top scoring students.

19. School Categorization in 2021 - 22
Environment Education and Awareness
Participation of schools are categorized as per the following:
• No. of schools appeared in the current year: 620 (approx.)
• No. of schools appeared from 0 – 50 students: 584
• No. of schools appeared from 51 – 100 students: 36
• No. of schools appeared from 101 - 200 students: 0

20. Audio / Video Clip
Environment Education and Awareness
Registration tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=855h4wmMJ5M
Outreach: 12000 views

21. Sample Papers
Environment Education and Awareness
• Sample papers were created for all the 4 difficulty levels in environment
and sustainable development theme. The cost of the same was kept at Rs
50 for each sample paper
• However, this was not implemented in 2021 – 22, as IT suggested this can
be undertaken at the registration stage.
• The same may likely to mainstream with the registration cycle in 2022-23.

22. II. Increase Outreach
Environment Education and Awareness

23. • Invitation for participation in GO is sent to all network
partners who are linked with EEA.
• Databank of schools is maintained and the same is used
for sending mailers on weekly basis.
• Retention program: Schools in GO are retained through
making them members of ongoing annual programs such
as Ocean Matters, YASH, YCC, etc. in the current year.
• District wise competitions: This will be undertaken once
funding is secured.
• Endorsements: Received endorsements from UNESCO,
CBSE, KVS, SCERT and NSDC.
Environment Education and Awareness
Increasing the Outreach

24. • Discussed with IT and it was suggested that School
coding may be explored in 2022-23 at the
registration stage
Environment Education and Awareness
School Coding

25. • BEE: A proposal for mega prize distribution ceremony,
along with awards was submitted
• Vedanta Group: Proposal submission for their
existing Nand Ghar initiative, an educational program
along with conducting GO examination was
submitted to BCSD
• SBI Life- Discussions with SBI Life for GO awards
• ISCKON: Submission of proposal for dovetailing with
Value Olympiad
Environment Education and Awareness
Seeking for Sponsorships

26. III. Additional Work
Environment Education and Awareness

27. GREEN Olympiad Multi-Stakeholders’ Meeting
• Date: 04 August 2021
• Outreach: 32 dignitaries from regional, national and international organizations in education and
environment domains attended the webinar. Participation was sought from various institutions,
such as All India Association of Catholic Schools, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, National Council
of Educational Research and Training, CBSE, MOEF&CC, DAV School Management, DST, National
Skill Development Corporation, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, National Institute of Open Schooling,
Exstemplar Education Linkers Foundation, UNESCO, NIAS, Goa Education Development
Corporation (GEDC), SCERT - Goa, Space Applications Center under ISRO, Cluster Development -
Environment & Energy Management Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) Kerala, and
State Education Boards.
• Features: Overview of TERI, explaining the journey of 2 decades of GO, suggestions for
strengthening the programme, role of GO coordinators and their virtual felicitation.

28. Communication & Outreach
• Social media updates and posts
• Write-up in TerraGreen magazine
• Cross promotion through community radio-
Kumaon Vani
• Web updates
• Cross promotion through partners and
supporters

29. Internal Review
• Internal reviewer: Amb. Ajai Malhotra, Distinguished Fellow &
Senior Advisor (Climate Change), TERI
• Review meeting: 25 August 2021
• Key suggestions: Paper publication, knowledge enrichment on
SDGs, round table with corporates for funding, media hype and
partnership with skilling institute
Environment Education and Awareness

30. Content Development
• Question Papers: Developed 8
set of question papers for
Environment & Sustainable
Development and Green Skills in
following levels of difficulty.
– Level 1: Std. 4 & 5
– Level 2: Std. 6,7 & 8
– Level 3: Std. 9 & 10
– Level 4: Std. 11 & 12
• Development of IEC material:
development of posters and info-
graphic for cross promotions,
mailers and social media
Environment Education and Awareness

31. Projection through WSDS 2022
• Secured prizes worth Rs 1.98 lakhs
• Virtual felicitation of Global and Country Winners during Youth
Plenary on 18 February 2022
• Featured on WSDS website and bulletin

32. Challenges during COVID Outbreak and possible areas that led to drop in 2021
1. Closure of school campuses for an indefinite period of time
2. Lower registration numbers from rural and peri urban towns because of online examination, non-
availability of email id and laptops, low level of tech know-how
3. Limitations due to security on IT parameters in schools (School management doesn’t share email /
phone nos. of students / parents)
4. With individual registrations, no options available for UPI payment. In initial stages, online payment
inflow was a concern. It has been suggested that more dynamic banks like ICICI, etc should be targeted
Paytm option was explored in 2020, but discontinued due to increase in expenditure and data
verification
5. Parallel competition with Wild Wisdom Quiz, VE Olympiad, Terre Green Olympiad, etc: These are
offered free of cost or charges are very nominal
6. Environment studies is a co-curricular subject, in comparison with Science/ Maths/ other Subject
Olympiads
7. Though GO has a robust social media presence, but it lacks media hype
8. UNEP and UNV refused endorsment due to a payment angle

33. Cost / Value comparisons with competitors
Value Olympiad by
ISCKON
Registration Fees-
Rs 50/-
Prizes- Laptops,
kindle, bicycle, etc
Wild Wisdom Quiz by
WWF
Registration Fees-
Rs 20
Prizes: Certificates
and cash prizes
Terre Green
Olympiad by TERRE
Policy Centre
No registration fee
Prizes- Laptops,
tablets, kindle, etc
Science Olympiad by
Science Olympiad
Foundation
Registration Fees-
Rs 150 - 1250/
Prizes-
Scholarships,
medals, certificates
CO-CURRICULAR SUBJECT BASED
GREEN Olympiad Registration Fees
Environment and Sustainable Development: Rs100
Green Skills + Environment and Sustainable Development: Rs 150

34. Suggestions for GO 2022-23
1. GO Examination may be conducted in a hybrid manner (subject to
CBSE directive)
2. School coding to be explored further in consultation with ITS
3. Two themes to be retained
4. Sample question papers may be marketed at the registration
5. Prize distribution ceremony to be explored during WSDS 2023
(with additional sponsorship)
6. Mega conference with high level dignitaries for schools (with
additional sponsorship)
7. Robust information technology operations, and external service
providers may be explored
8. Different levels of partnerships and sponsorships
9. GO App, GO infographics, and revamp of GO website
Environment Education and Awareness

35. Thank You