Schools Transformed – SABIC Renovation Initiative Benefits Over 300,000 Students under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Two States
NEW DELHI (India CSR): In a significant boost to rural education in India, SABIC, a Saudi Arabian petrochemical giant, has partnered with the government to renovate over 45 schools across Bengaluru and Vadodara since 2014. Since 2014, the company has invested approximately 10 crores in benefitting less privileged students in Government schools in Karnataka and Gujarat.
This initiative has improved the infrastructure of these schools, creating a more conducive learning environment for over 300,000 underprivileged students.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Karnataka and Gujarat
The CSR initiative aligns strongly with the 2024 theme for International Women’s Day, which underlines the need for building infrastructure that meets the needs for women and girls, alongside access to quality education.
SABIC in India jointly with the state Government and partners has been focusing on providing students access to quality education as well as ensuring that the building infrastructure meets the needs of women and girls.
Coupled with essential amenities like clean, safe and separate toilets for boys and girls, SABIC’s holistic approach not only addresses educational disparities but also fosters an environment conducive to girls’ education and empowerment.
One of the girl students, Ruhi, who directly benefited from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, said, “The construction of separate toilets has addressed a fundamental need for privacy, dignity and safety – which removes a significant barrier preventing me from attending school“.
Reflecting on the transformative impact of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Ambika, one of the teachers at the Government schools shares, “I have witnessed firsthand the positive changes brought about after the refurbishment of classrooms, libraries and laboratories. The improved infrastructure has led to better attendance and a continuous education cycle, enabling girls to engage more actively in their studies. Access to a safe environment and quality education makes students better equipped to pursue their dreams”.
Talking about the initiative, Janardhanan Ramanujalu, Vice President & Regional Head, of Asia Pacific (Ex China) says, “We provided education in rural India as a transformative effort while upgrading infrastructure with a special focus on hygiene. This has a tremendous impact on girl children and their participation in continuous education. We are proud to be partnering with the Government and our partners to jointly address the infrastructural needs of our schools in rural parts of Vadodara and Bengaluru”.
Since 2014, SABIC has invested approximately 10 crores in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) benefitting more than 300,000 less privileged students in Government schools. As part of our focus on education, SABIC is also undertaking another initiative named ‘They See, They Learn’ – a vision care program in Government schools, the company informed India CSR.
To date, SABIC has screened more than 5,00,000 students and provided spectacles for those prescribed. This marks another step in the direction of removing vision-related barriers preventing drop in attendance.
(Copyright@IndiaCSR)
