Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

ITC to develop infrastructure in rural schools

Anasuya Menon

COIMBATORE : ITC Limited plans to provide infrastructure facilities at select rural Government schools in the district under its "Project Classmate."

"ITC has undertaken this project as part of its corporate social responsibility," Sanjay Sreenivas, Branch Manager, ITC Limited, said. "By the end of this financial year, at least 15 schools in the district will be covered under this project," he added.

A survey of nearly 50 schools conducted by ITC in Coimbatore revealed that most of them were in need of facilities such as girls' toilets, benches and desks, black boards and play material.

Fifty-two schools had been identified in Mettupalayam and Karamadai blocks. The project had already started in about five schools.

"The company will look at schools outside Coimbatore Corporation limits," said P.A.Naresh, Chief Educational Officer, Coimbatore.

"Through this project, we aim to provide access to primary education and retain students in primary and middle schools," Mr. Sreenivas said. Though the company had been involved in several social activities through its `project classmate,' it is focussing on education in a concerted manner, he asserted.

The company had tied up with a Chennai based non-Governmental organisation (NGO), V-Excel, to carry out its activities in the district. Similarly, they had identified Malappuram district in Kerala for `project classmate.' A continuous impact assessment would also be done for the project. This was like a feed-back to assess the progress of the project, Mr. Sreenivas explained.

Several organisations had similar activities for schools. But, they merely acted as facilitators. "When corporates get into such activities , they do it with their own resources," Mr. Naresh said.

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