Schools of Greater Chennai Corporation get a complete makeover

 Schools of Greater Chennai Corporation get a complete makeover

~ World Vision India teams up with Greater Chennai Corporation to provide enhanced digital learning and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities for 14 schools in the city ~

 Chennai, 27 October, 2020: World Vision India, a child-focused humanitarian organization, along with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), as part of the ‘Education for Life’ project are scaling up 14 corporations schools in Chennai. The 14 selected schools will get a complete makeover that is in process, which includes access to quality education through digital learning and enhanced infrastructure to help keep students safe and healthy.

The purpose of the project is to enhance education systems progressively towards achieving global standards that influence the wellbeing of a child. It will address four key elements: provide enhanced digital learning, improved access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, protect children from all forms of violence and abuse, and to support children participation in schools.

The schools were mapped by World Vision India along with the education department of Greater Chennai Corporation. Major scale up of infrastructure include construction and renovation of toilets, raising school compound walls, repair and construction of rainwater harvesting structures, digging of bore wells, awareness creation for adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene, provision of sports materials, benches and desks. The project also focusses on imparting awareness messages on WASH through murals and create kitchen gardens to teach kids about sustainable lifestyle.

World Vision India has incorporated smart features such as digital classrooms in these corporation schools. 43 digital classes have already been set up at the schools. World Vision has also installed education software, where lessons are uploaded through the software, and subjects are explained with the help of visuals and graphs. Capacity building of Teachers are also part of the program. With improved access to WASH services, these schools are now safe to be reopened amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. Prior renovation, most of these schools lacked basic handwashing facilities and basic sanitation and water services.

The 14 corporation schools under renovation under the ‘Education for Life’ project are:

  1. Government Higher Secondary School – MMDA Colony
  2. Chennai Corporation Boys Hr. Sec. School, Nungambakkam
  3. Chennai Middle School, Nungambakkam
  4. Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School, Shenoy Nagar
  5. Chennai Corporation High School, Kilpauk
  6. Chennai Middle School, Perambur
  7. Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School, Perambur
  8. Chennai Urdu Government Middle School, Broadway
  9. Chennai Corporation High School, Chindaripet
  10. Chennai Corporation High School, Walltax Road
  11. Chennai Primary School, SM Nagar
  12. Chennai Corporation Middle School, Varatharajpuram
  13. Chennai Middle School, Villivakkam
  14. Chennai Primary School, Aminjikarai

Speaking on the project, Sony Thomas, Group Director- Resource Mobilisation and Public Engagement (RMPE) World Vision India said, “We are extremely happy to be associated with Greater Chennai Corporation to provide a more certain future for our children . School closures since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have presented an unprecedented challenge to children’s education and wellbeing. World Vision India prioritizes children’s learning. This means making sure that schools are safe to reopen – with a focus on access to hand hygiene, clean drinking water and safe sanitation.” 

Commenting on the initiative, Bharathidasan, Additional Education Officer (AEO) and Incharge-Education Officer, Greater Chennai Corporation said, “Students from deprived urban communities often have limited exposure to the latest technologies. With these smart classrooms, students would be encouraged to access digital learning, and eventually, aim for better employment opportunities.”

About World Vision India 

World Vision is one of the world’s leading child focused humanitarian organisations. Through development, relief and advocacy, we pursue fullness of life for every child by serving the poor and oppressed regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. With nearly 65 years of experience in India, World Vision India works in 140 districts impacting 26 lakh children and their families in over 6200 communities spread across 24 states and 2 Union Territories of India. We work along with children, families and communities to address issues of health, nutrition, water, sanitation & hygiene, education, child protection, climate change, gender, disability and humanitarian emergencies in partnership with governments, civil society, donors and corporates.  For more information, go to: https://www.worldvision.in/