Recognising the role of education in social welfare and economic prosperity, Aditya Aluminium, an Aditya Birla Group Company, has set up several learning facilities in and around its project area in Sambalpur. “Education is an area of focus for us in Aditya Birla Group. Hindalco is deeply engaged in helping reach benefits of learning and education for marginalised communities,” Bibhu Mishra, Chief Operating Officer of Aditya Aluminium said.
Elaborating on the company’s initiative to facilitate the learning process, he said “We hope over the coming years these will help truly raise the literacy level in Sambalpur district. “We believe in holistic development of children. So our learning programmes are a mix of educational and sports initiatives. Furthermore, we endeavour to better the school infrastructure so that children are drawn to school.” Among Aditya Aluminum’s initiatives are two free coaching centres, named Kalika running in Pandaloi and Ludhapalli village, where over 104 students get extensive support. Teachers at these centres undergo special training to enable them adopt simple and effective methods of teaching.
The company also provides students with free study material, school bags, uniforms and stationery, a company release said.
Additionally, parent-teacher meets are held regularly to assess the students’ performance and to think of ways to enhance their skills and increase their potential, he said.
Aditya Aluminium has also recourse to innovative ways to stem the dropout rate among students, especially girls.
Last year, it successfully brought back as many as 22 children who had left school in the middle of the term. Girls who have discontinued their secondary education also get a chance to complete their schooling.
In addition, around 60 elderly people have enrolled in the two adult education centres set up by the company.
Nuadei Pradhan, an 85-year-old lady from Tarapoi village said: “Earlier I didn’t know the alphabets, but after coming to Aditya Aluminium’s adult literacy centre, I have learnt how to read as well as write a few words. This achievement has given me immense satisfaction”.
