Gurugram (India CSR): Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) today announced the commencement of ‘Back to school’ program, to help school going children adapt to the changing dynamics in the light of the pandemic. The program will instil confidence amongst parents and children to return to school, encourage COVID appropriate behaviour and facilitate re-enrolment of school dropouts.
Commenting on the CSR initiative, Puneet Anand, AVP & Group Head, Corporate Affairs, HMIL, said ” The pandemic has changed the world and perhaps will co-exist with all other diseases. Accepting this reality and learning to live with it is the only way forward. As a socially responsible organisation, we responded to this situation through our ‘Back to School’ program which aims at creating a safe and conducive learning environment for students. Through this programme, we aim to assist and restore the confidence of both parents and students to make the learning experience joyful while aligned with our brand vision of “Progress for Humanity”.”
During the pandemic, a staggering 62 per cent of students did not continue their schooling in India and a total of 30 million students did not have access to digital learning. Project ‘Back to School’ will also attempt to reduce dropout rates and assist 1.8 lakh students in exercising their right to education amid adverse situations. The project will also develop a strong COVID 19 Response Management Support System, raise vaccination awareness, and promote appropriate COVID behaviour.
The major project components include regular sanitization of schools to make them safe, training housekeeping staff to disinfect the school premises, supplying appropriate equipment like masks, jackets, gloves, and other consumables, as well as monitoring quality of execution and compliance for a period of 3 months. Additionally, a kit consisting of 7 coloured cloth masks coded for each day of the week with a sanitiser bottle will be distributed to the students, while educating them on their importance and reuse. Adequate training will be provided to gatekeepers for thermal screening of students and staff. In case COVID symptom(s) is detected, patients will be supported and facilitated through PHCs. Senior school students will be encouraged to become ‘Hygiene Ambassador’ for overall community awareness.
Under this program, Hyundai Motor India Foundation will also offer counselling services to students and parents who are experiencing fear, anxiety, or vaccine-related difficulties. They will also counsel students and parents who have dropped out due to fear and facilitate their re-enrolment and get them back into the schools.
