348 senior citizens learn IT skills from grandchildren and students at cyber bootcamp

SINGAPORE - The biggest constituency-level IT bootcamp since 2012 is currently underway across 15 schools, attracting 348 senior citizens to register so far.

Organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in collaboration with the People's Association Active Ageing Council (PA AAC) and Tampines GRC Active Ageing Committees, the four-day Tampines GRC Intergenerational IT bootcamp is conducted by the senior citizen's grandchildren or student volunteers aged between 10 to 18 years.

15 schools have been holding IT workshops on their premises since Mar 17 for the elderly to learn various infocomm skills. Education Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat visited three schools conducting the workshops on March 19.

"I am happy to see the senior citizens and students having fun learning IT and interacting with one another at the IDA Intergenerational IT Bootcamp.

"Such intergenerational bonding programmes improve communication and understanding among the senior citizens and the youth, and enhance the senior citizens' social and emotional well-being," Mr Heng said.

Besides picking up basic computer and internet skills, the senior citizens are also introduced to eEntertainment including online music stations, YouTube and social networking such as Facebook.Mr Heng, who is also the Tampines GRC Grassroots Organisations (GROs) adviser added that the Tampines GRC Intergenerational IT bootcamp is in line with Tampines GRC Wellness Programme to encourage its senior citizens to embrace an active lifestyle and lifelong learning

The Intergenerational IT Bootcamp is part of IDA's Silver Infocomm Initiative (SII), which aims to help senior citizens pick up essential IT skills and applications in a convenient and friendly environment.

Since 2010, a total of 53 schools have co-organised 77 bootcamps and the programme has reached out to some 1,600 pairs of seniors and students.

grongloh@sph.com.sg