The education sector in India has grown tremendously since independence. In fact, there have been significant improvements made across different indicators in the sector. This has only magnified since 2002 when the right to education was added as a Fundamental Right in Article 21-A in the Constitution of India.
India has been successful in achieving near-universal access for 199 million children, school infrastructure has increased to 1.4 million schools and 98% habitations in the country have an upper primary school within three kilometres walking distance. However, several issues pertaining to the quality of education, the relevance of curriculum, lack of learning and accountability as well as non-committed or impassionate teachers have been hurdles in the evolution of the Indian education system.
While the government is working extensively towards solving these issues, contributions by the corporates have played a major role in addressing some of these issues effectively. In fact, the structured and strategic approach of businesses utilizing their CSR funds to address the issues within the education sector has generated long-term benefits for the country.
In this regard, let us take a look at some of the latest CSR initiatives enhancing education in India this year.
CNH Capital’s CSR Project: Mission Education
CNH Capital, the financial services division of CNH has been running its CSR Project: ‘Mission Education’, which will now focus on enhancing the educational experience of schoolchildren in Nangli Umarpur village, in Gurugram. As part of this initiative, the project will support 240 children studying in primary up to 5th standard.
Mission Education, in collaboration with the Smile Foundation, will support NeeV – village learning centre – pupils. The initiative will source teaching materials and set up a Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Lab. It will also focus on sanitation and hygiene education, skills development opportunities for teachers and project staff, and provide networking opportunities for the children and other stakeholders.
CNH’s New Holland brand started the ‘Mission Education’ project in 2016, and to date it has benefitted 270 children. The Company is expanding its CSR efforts in India, focusing on education: Project Unnati provides scholarships for schoolchildren and students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in Gurgaon and Noida. Project Udaan offers scholarships and a comprehensive development curriculum for underprivileged female students pursuing engineering degrees.
From left to right – Milesh J, Head of Strategy and Operations, SAP Labs, India; Bipin Menon, Development Commissioner, Noida Special Economic Zone; Ashwin Yardi, CEO – India, Capgemini; Aiman Ezzat, CEO, Capgemini
Capgemini’s Center of Excellence in Skilling in Uttar Pradesh
Capgemini, in collaboration with Noida Special Economic Zone, announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind integrated Center of Excellence in Skilling in Uttar Pradesh this week. The state-of-the-art centre includes facilities such as classrooms, a computer lab, a counseling area, and a science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) lab equipped with Coding, Tinkering, and Robotics facilities for government school teachers and students, creating a conducive learning environment. This collaboration aims to help incentivize skill development and digital literacy in India by reaching out to unemployed and vulnerable youths and providing them with advanced training in new technologies such as Generative AI, robotics, Fintech, and more.
According to a statement, Capgemini will offer curated short-term and long-term courses in advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning to 1000 young aspirants annually, enhancing employability in Information Technology (IT), Information Technology Enabled Services (IteS) and Fintech sectors. The demographic encompasses individuals aged 11 years and above, with a specific focus on socially and economically marginalized communities, as well as women and youths with special needs, aiming to foster digital inclusion.
This collaboration between Capgemini and NSEZ is further strengthened by the contribution from several other partners including SAP, nasscom foundation, YES Foundation, SRF Foundation, AADHAR, EduBridge and The Innovation Story.
Shell India’s CSR programme
Shell India recently announced successful completion of the first phase of its innovative NXplorers programme in over 100 schools across India in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. In alignment with the Government of India’s mission to bolster STEM education, this programme aims to build the capacity of teachers and leverage the Atal Tinkering Lab set-up to promote STEM education and instil a culture of innovation and critical thinking among students.
The programme is tailored to help young minds develop skills to address complex global challenges at the intersection of food, water, and energy. Under this programme, teachers are trained, monitored, and supported for continuous development required to empower students to drive positive change in their communities.
The NXplorers programme has transformed the lives of over 3 lakh students and 2,200 teachers across 1,800 schools in India over the past five years, as per a recent statement issued by Shell India. The programme is implemented in government and low-income private schools in India through Shell’s partner organizations – Learning Links Foundation and SMILE Foundation. NXplorers also runs in 19 countries including Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, and Vietnam.
Kaushik Shaparia, CEO, Deutsche Bank Group, India with Nikita Ketkar, CEO, Masoom.
CSR of Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank in collaboration with Masoom, inaugurated two evening learning centres in Sion and Ghatkopar, Mumbai this week as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in India. The centres will offer educational support to 50 members of the LGBTQIA+ community, helping them prepare for the Grade X examinations (SSC and NIOS) to be held in March 2025. The inaugural event at the Sion centre saw attendance from senior leadership at Deutsche Bank and Masoom along with former Masoom students from the LGBTQIA+ community and new learners.
These learning centers will provide a foundation to build their basic knowledge and competency and enable regular learning by providing all the educational resources and practice exam material for Grade X.
Since 2015, Deutsche Bank and Masoom have partnered to support operations of 20-night schools in Mumbai, providing educational support for more than 10,000 school dropouts. This night school transformation programme helps reintegrate these adults into the formal education system, supporting them in their efforts to obtain their Grade X certifications and improving their career opportunities. Since last year, the bank has also supported the Masoom career cell programme offering career courses to 100 women. This year, in addition to the learning centres in Mumbai, an evening learning centre is also being established in Pune to support 70 school dropouts.
CSR of Adani Group
Adani Foundation initiated special classes for the 10th class students in Zilla Parishad High School & Jr. College at Gangavaram, villages during last year. The Adani Evening Education Center was launched last year. This initiative is implemented in association with Adani Foundation. Participatory learning methods are being adopted to increase students’ attendance and effective learning and lead to progressive performance in academics. The programme’s goal is to improve attendance, learning, and academic performance. This initiative will expand to 5 villages across 2 locations in the coming months, as per an announcement. The next centre is expected to open at ZPH School, Gangavaram village very soon. Adani Gangavaram Port through its CSR has has established a Computer Center at ZPHS, Gangavaram for skilling youth and enhance education among the local communities.
Village-centric learning and experience centres in West Bengal
‘Srijangan,’ an independent initiative, is working to enhance education in the Hingalganj block of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Embee Software Pvt Ltd spearheads this project, focusing on enriching the lives of rural children through innovative learning experiences.
The Hingalganj ‘Srijangan’ project introduces five village-centric learning and experience centres, designed to complement formal education and bridge the learning gap prevalent in rural areas. Each centre is equipped with a digital library, offering a wealth of relevant information for children aged 8 to 13. Trained facilitators guide the children through activity-based learning, emphasizing creativity, curiosity, and practical skills. The project’s innovative approach includes ‘Inter-Generational Learning Centres’, involving older community members in the educational journey.
Smartsters’ CSR empowering underprivileged girls in Maharashtra
Children’s furniture brand Smartsters recently announced a collaborative effort with Umeed Foundation, a Wadgaon, Maharashtra-based NGO dedicated to empowering underprivileged girls. This partnership aims to bridge the educational gap and equip young girls with the resources they need to excel in their academic journeys. Smartsters has donated study desks and chairs to Umeed Foundation’s impactful Project Kshitiz. The initiative is designed to boost confidence, dismantle financial barriers, and enhance academic preparation for girls.
