VEDANTA KHUSHI - HINDUSTAN ZINC ADOPTS 152 RURAL SCHOOLS IN RAJASTHAN TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE

112 schools were adopted earlier and the work is in progress, MoU for additional 40 schools signed today

To improve the infrastructure in government run rural schools Hindustan Zinc today signed the MoU with the District Education Department, Government of Rajasthan to adopt another 40 Government schools, including Girls’ Schools in Udaipur District, covering Udaipur City(10), Zawar(12), Maton(8) and Debari(10) areas.  The company had recently adopted 112 government schools in Bhilwara(72), Chittorgarh(20) and Rajsamand(20) to improve infrastructure facilities in these schools. 

The infrastructure work in these schools is already in progress.With signing of MoU to improve infrastructure in 40 schools in Udaipur, Hindustan Zinc shall be improving infrastructure in 152 schools with a cost of over Rs. 5 crore.

Many studies have pointed out that in order to improve the enrollment in government run schools, there is a dire need to improve the infrastructure, which includes not only repairs of the building but also sitting facilities, black-boards, electricity fittings and teaching aids. 

Through this project, Hindustan Zinc is providing basic infrastructure facilities like construction of boundary wall, class rooms, labs, installation of hand pumps, ceiling fans, coolers, construction of toilets, playground and furniture. Besides, scholarships to meritorious students will also be given and to keep up the green belt in schools, special plantation drives would be conducted.

UNICEF report has also stated that in rural Rajasthan, the female literacy is about 42 per cent. The sharp drop in secondary school attendance, particularly among girls is because of no drinking water facilities, lack of separate toilets for girls, no proper teachers, improper infrastructure etc. which is a matter of concern and requires immediate action.The company had two years back launched a social media campaign "Khushi" which brought out the issue of infrastructure improvement in schools in several on line debates and discussions. 

Taking the campaign forward, Hindustan Zinc decided to improve the infrastructure and give better facilities to students and improve their education quality."Hindustan Zinc is quite pleased with the progress of the work already initiated in 112 schools and looking forward to complete the work at the earliest. This project under the PPP model is expected to improve the quality of education in these schools", said Pavan Kaushik, Head of Corporate Communication.

To ensure the smooth running of project, a committee has been formed comprising members from HZL and members to be proposed by the District Collector. Based on the need of the school authority and the budget allotted, the project will be executed by Hindustan Zinc, Pavan Kaushik informed further.

Mrs. Krishna Chauhan - DEO(Secondary) thanked Hindustan Zinc for their support in bringing quality education in the government school by way of taking up the project towards improving the infrastructure. Ms. Sushma Sharma - Head CSR, HZL briefed all about the CSR initiatives being undertaken by Hindustan Zinc.  Mr. CSR Mehta - Head Corporate Relations spoke about the necessity to improve the infrastructure in the schools but also emphasized that the project should also monitored by Principals to ensure timely execution. Mr. Bhupendra Jain - DEO(Elementary) spoke about how Hindustan Zinc initiative is improving health and education in schools and has helped these children.

The MoU was signed today by Ms. Sushma Sharma, CSR Head on behalf of Hindustan Zinc and from Education Department by Mrs. Krishna Chauhan, District Education Officer (Secondary) and Mr.  Bhupendra Jain, District Education Officer (Elementary).  Also present on the occasion were Mr. CSR Mehta - Head Corporate Relations, Mr. Pavan Kaushik - Head Corporate Communication, Dr. S.S. Jamrani - Additional Director (Mines), Mrs. Hemlata Manaria - ADEO (Secondary), Dr. Suyesh Chaturvedi - Principal GSSS Gudli, Mrs. Nirja Rodgers - Principal GGSSS Bhupalpura and Mrs. Gauri Jamrani - Principal Ambamata Girls School.