Corporate social responsibility funds for face-lift of state schools, colleges

Dept of education seeks corporate help in improving its institutions Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy may soon assume responsibility as Karnataka’s planning board chief. 

The chief minister, HD Kumaraswamy had said that Narayana Murthy’s expertise will be used to improve Bengaluru’s creaking infrastructure. It seems his expertise will extend to improve government schools and colleges too, as Murthy, along with others are being approached by the department of education to consider using their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to improve for state-funded educational institutions.

Apart from Narayan Murthy, the department officials said that there are ongoing discussions with, Infosys Foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, Hewlett Packard, Adobe, Dell, Bosch, Arrow Electronics and many more organisations They want help from the corporates to give a face-lift to schools and colleges, as well as for having students trained by experts.

Under the previous regime headed by Siddaramaiah, the government of Karnatakahad established a project management unit (PMU), a small unit which will work under the principal secretary of education department to facilitate the companies in their process of contributing to the schools and colleges and also, to facilitate opportunities for using mandatory CSR funds. Over 150 corporates and non-governmental organisations came forward for this tie-up with the government of Karnataka.

Till date, 35 agencies have already pledged commitment to the department of education. “Many philanthropists and educationists have been working with the education department, but bringing in CSR processes is a recent initiative. These CSR contributions to the state schools and colleges are just a supplement and not a substitute to the efforts of the government plans to universalise education,” said educationist VP Niranjanaradhya.

“However, these activities should be carried out at the places which need real attention and a need assessment should be done in a detailed fashion,” he added.

Education experts are also of a view that these CSR activities in the schools and colleges should focus on really needy schools. Projects should not be taken up for considerations of proximity or for connections the parents or faculty have with the companies. Needs of the schools or colleges should be the real criterion here, feel academicians.

The several corporate initiatives that started from this academic year centre around setting up computer labs or skill labs, digital upgrades, nutritional interventions and more.

Article Source: Bangalore Mirror