Last week, a private company adopted 22 government schools as part of their corporate social responsibility portfolio. It will make financial contributions, provide infrastructure and also hire teachers for English in these schools. Various corporate houses have, so far, adopted 54 schools in the district.
Officials said 470 district schools, with one lakh students in total, receive a paltry Rs 2,000 each annually for their maintenance. Six months ago, the administration invited corporate houses to adopt schools to provide quality education to destitute children of Gautam Budh Nagar.
Several private companies and PSUs came forward to adopt schools at the time, and have since upgraded them with better infrastructure.
They also distributed school bags, stationary, shoes and sweaters among other items.and audio-visual systems in schools.
“So far, 32 government schools are operational under the programme. On Friday, another firm adopted 22 more schools. From now, students of 54 of 470 district schools will have access to quality education,” said district magistrate N P Singh.
The government hopes up to 200 schools will be covered under this programme, said Singh, “I’m thankful to corporates, PSUs, residents and my colleagues for actively participating in the project.”
After he was appointed as DM, Singh visited several villages in the district to identify the problems they face. “During my visits, I found education and health facilities were not up to mark. Though government provides some funds, other initiatives can be taken to improve services,” said Singh.
“Nearly 80% of India’s children study in government schools, and quality education is their democratic right,” he added.
They also opened 44 creches across the district for children of construction labourers.
This article was taken from here.