Every year, millions of children around the world enroll in schools. However, only a small percentage of them complete their education successfully. This is because most schools provide education with poor infrastructure or educators. The main reason for underprivileged girls dropping out of school is that their families forbid them from continuing their education because parents consider that the productivity of girls is higher at home. Poverty, unemployment, and discrimination based on caste, gender, race, and other social barriers are also why girls from weaker sections are forced to drop out from school.
What is the solution to this pressing social problem? It is important to understand that education in underprivileged areas is consistently underfunded and leads to a slew of issues ranging from increased class sizes and lowered standards to low graduation and high failure rates. Financial assistance alone will not solve these issues, and corporates will need to collaborate closely with educators and parents to ensure a good investment in infrastructure, facilities, and amenities that students may need to truly benefit the local community.
Alongside this, sustainability also needs to be the keyword and must bring about a revolution in education, the need of the hour. The sector can also add value to society by taking the lead in imbibing social innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives among students, which requires a great deal of administrative and organizational knowledge, both of which corporates are well-versed in.
The Environmental Pillar
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), as a part of corporate culture, is gaining prominence in the education business, as with so many other businesses. Awareness is growing that students have a significant social impact. With concerns about global warming and climate change-related concerns, young Indians are more enthusiastic to learn about environment-friendly practices. Such habits cannot be inculcated or learnt about simply through textbooks or theories. Experiential learning experiences are the best way in which students can inculcate such habits, and companies can facilitate such initiatives.
Several schools and institutes are taking initiatives to adopt recycling and reuse facilities to reduce the amount of waste created. Companies could also help students conduct clean-up programs and activities in their vicinity through tree plantation and plogging programs. Animal adoption programs are also gaining interest among young students. Companies could also help such institutes adopt programs such as horticulture which helps children understand the science of growing fruits and vegetables.
The Social Pillar
The social pillar of ESG focuses on the needs of the local community. New-age educators are aware of the ‘New Age ‘students and the ‘New’ definition of education. They are thus making every effort for the holistic development of the students to prepare them to face the ever-evolving real world. The big question right now is what type of world these children will enter as adults; we have to ensure that it is a beautiful one. And the timing is right to begin beautifying this earth right now.
This new generation’s awareness and concern for the environment are of their best quality. The children take good care of the stray animals. They even go above and beyond to make sure the animals are adopted and find new homes. However, there are a variety of ways for students to make significant changes with minimal effort.
Social Detox
A social detox can improve concentration while studying and help you save battery life on your phone. Therefore, turn off your phone if you anticipate not using it anytime soon. Waiting until the battery is at 1% will prevent you from saving electricity.
Have a ‘Green Birthday’
Your birthday plans with your buddies should include planting some green friends in your neighbourhood. Of course, you can continue with your plans despite this brief detour. Just general maintenance, watering, and maintaining their health will do. Furthermore, alternative party decorations, such as party poppers and others, can be more environmentally friendly.
Start a Re-cycling club
Create a recycling group at your school to take the lead. The club can also ensure that the classrooms are clean, adheres to proper sanitation standards, and have a recycling bin that will assist in regularly collecting recyclables. Additionally, this club can promote the idea of “Zero Food Waste” and assist with sorting cafeteria packaging so that more of it can be recycled. If the kids are inspired to do so, they can even raise money for causes close to their hearts that protect the environment.
The Governance Pillar
S&P Global research on governance factors has shown that companies which rank well below average on good governance characteristics are particularly prone to mismanagement and risk their ability to capitalize on business opportunities over time. This shows that good governance is essential for ESG practices to succeed.
Good governance aspects provide structural support to the ways in which an organization interacts with and positively impacts the environment, employees, and their communities – in short, all stakeholders. Corporate governance and the related policies, procedures, and processes that are documented and ingrained into the organizational culture are critical to mitigating the risks and help to ensure ‘sustainable sustainability’ over the long term.
In conclusion, it can be said that Indian education is moving in a new direction in the post-pandemic era. With the urgent need to address education gaps and innovate in teaching methodology, companies can play a vital role in addressing these concerns. Training students to attain skills in a digitized learning environment is essential to help them shape and craft their futures.
Views of the author are personal and do not necessarily represent the website’s views.
Sarvamangala Koti is a hardcore PR professional with over 17 years of experience and specialises in Strategic Communication plans for Image building and managing Corporate Reputation. She has worked as a PR advisor and communications lead of various organisations across varied industries. She has established the CSR arm at K12 Techno Services and is ensuring to actively engage in CSR activities to raise public awareness on social issues and work towards conservation of environment.
