Donations invited under Corporate Social Responsibility

Tirupati: To provide government schools the necessary infrastructure facilities as a first step in providing quality education, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) of Government of Andhra Pradesh has initiated a concept called ‘Badi Runam Teerchukundam’ as a platform for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Under this, the government will invite donations from individuals, communities and organisations for strengthening the schools, especially the schools in which once they studied and elevated to higher positions. It was expected that this will give a boost to the facilities in the 5,400 government schools across the district which will attract the students and parents.

‘Badi Runam Teerchukundam’ concept calls for donations that will be utilised for purchasing required infrastructure for the schools. The district educational authorities were first focusing their attention on the alumni of concerned schools and writing to them to extend their helping hands and become part of the development of their old school.

CSR can act as a major fund provider for the development of schools. The government intends to provide every school with enough infrastructure, additional classrooms, kitchen room, separate toilets for girls in co-education schools and a compound wall with the donations received. Digital classrooms and ICT on par with corporate schools, RO water plant, providing health and sports equipment and others need huge funds for every school. Donors can donate in the form of cash or specific items.

Under the scheme, every donation will be documented, and details will be uploaded on website. It will have the full details of donor, the purpose of the donation, their contact details etc. The SSA Project Director will guide on where and how to spend donation based on the request made by the donor. There was also a proposal to fix a value of donation on which the donor can suggest a new name for the school.

Those who come forward, can opt to name the school after their parents. The SSA fixed some targets to go ahead with the scheme. They fixed a fund mobilisation of at least Rs 2 crore per district by mobilising the alumni, VIPs, local organisations and industries. There was no minimum amount to donate and people can donate according to their wish.

District Collector PS Pradyumna has launched the post cards meant for various persons and institutions at a function held in Chittoor on Monday. The post cards inviting the participation of Apollo Hospitals Chairman Prathap C Reddy, Amara Raja Industries Chairman G Ramachandra Naidu and Krishna District Collector Lakshmikantham were sent with the signature of the District Collector.

Speaking to The Hans India, District Educational Officer (DEO) Dr K Panduranga Swamy, said, the Community Mobilisation Officers (CMO) will take care of this concept in the district. “Initially, we have sent three cards to VIPs. The alumni of each school, who are now in higher positions, will be identified with the help of CMOs, MEOs and school teachers. We expect good response to this scheme,” observed the DEO.

By V Pradeep Kumar