Introduction:

Promotion of quality and inclusive education has been one of the important thrust areas for GMDC-GVT with a special focus on communities in which GMDC Projects are located. GMDC-GVT believes in catering to the educational needs of the students and community members through support at different levels within the education system. The educational projects aim to bridge the gaps in the education in underserved regions, recognising its critical role in socio-economic development of the society.

As part of GMDC-GVT’s commitment to fostering educational development within the communities, every year GMDC-GVT supports children belonging to the schools located in the project affected areas of GMDC by providing notebooks. The primary objective of the notebook distribution initiative is to enable the students by providing them with essential learning materials, ensuring they have the required tools to excel in their studies.

Notebook Distribution

The hydraulic garbage tipper addresses the challenges of cleanliness of Ravapar village, benefitting the population of 5000 residents.

The notebook distribution initiative targets the underprivileged communities where the access to educational resource may be limited. Notebooks, being the fundamental resource for students to record notes, complete assignments and engage in the active learning.

The initiative focuses on the comprehensive geographical coverage of GMDC project locations, including Kachchh, Bharuch, Surat, Bhavnagar, Chhotaudepur, Panchmahal, Devbhumi Dwarka districts in Gujarat and Angul and Sundargarh districts in Odisha.

By providing the notebooks, GMDC-GVT aims to alleviate the burden on the parents and encourage students to actively participate in studies. Regardless of their financial background, this initiative ensures equal opportunity for every student to perform well in their academic endeavours.

GMDC-GVT provides more than 2,54,000 notebooks and foolscaps to 26,500 students in a total of 205 schools in Gujarat and Odisha every year.

School Transportation Facility

Making the formal education accessible, GMDC-GVT provides School Transportation Facilities to the students at four of the GMDC Project Locations:

  • Lignite Project, Rajpardi;
  • Lignite Project, Umarsar;
  • Lignite Project, Panandhro and
  • Akrimota Thermal Power Station

With this initiative, GMDC-GVT aims to address transportation barriers that hinder the students from attending school regularly.

The School Transport Facility provides safe and reliable commuting for 400 school students.The school buses at all the locations maintain cleanliness and hygiene to provide comfortable ride with ample seating space and air conditioning.

School transportation also contributes to reducing school dropouts in remote rural locations.

The transportation reaches out to the underserved communities to ensure that no child is devoid of the education due to the inability to travel a far distance becuase of financial limitations. By bridging the gap between home and school, GMDC-GVT enables students from these communities to access quality education, which is a critical factor in breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting sustainable development. Every journey a school bus makes is a step towards a brighter future for children belonging to the community, empowering them to achieve their full potential.

Contributing towards Enhancement of Mid-day Meal Program

In response to the school dropouts and Mid-day meal being the medium to ensure its reduction, GMDC-GVT focused on extending the Kitchen Facility at Akshay Patra Foundation in Bhavnagar. Associated with the GMDC Lignite Project, Bhavnagar, this capital expansion has significantly enhanced the Mid-day Meal Program, benefitting 18,000 children every day from 57 schools of Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation.

The major contributing factor to reduced learning capabilities in children is directly impacted by health and nutrition. The initiative enabled the foundation to prepare and distribute nutritious meals to a larger number of students.

Mid-day meals are a powerful incentive for encouraging children to return to school and maintaining their nutritional health. These nutritious meals not only help children concentrate better in class but also play a crucial role in eradicating classroom hunger.

The goal of this initiative includes enhanced capacity to serve a greater number of children, improved nutrition, encouraging higher attendance rates of the children and better academic performance by addressing hunger among schoolchildren.

Key Features of the Fry Section Room Extension
  • State-of-the-Art Kitchen Facility:The extension in the kitchen facility is equipped with modern, high-capacity fryers and cooking equipment, which ensures quick and efficient meal preparation.
  • Hygiene Standards:Considering Akshay Patra Foundation’s stringent hygiene and safety standards, it is ensured that all meals are prepared in clean and safe environment.
  • Enhanced Impact:The infrastructure extension was required in line with the objective to reach out to maximum number of children studying in schools located in Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation. With the additional space and equipment, the Foundation can prepare a great volume of meals, expanding its reach to more schools.
Project Outcomes

The project along with reaching out to 18,000 students from 57 schools in Bhavnagar, also achieves outcomes such as improvement in school enrollment, increase in attendance, mitigation of classroom hunger, enabling students to concentrate in classroom, reduction in dropout rate among students and addressing the issue of malnutrition among children.

Supporting schools with Digital Devices

Technology is revolutionising how students learn both inside and outside the classroom. It enables educators to deliver immersive and personalised learning experiences, preparing students to excel in the future workplace. GMDC-GVT contributes to integrating technology into education to enhance the learning outcomes. The project supports the schools and educational institutions by providing computer sets and thereby ensures digitisation in the education ecosystem.

Technology is revolutionising how students learn both inside and outside the classroom. It enables educators to deliver immersive and personalised learning experiences, preparing students to excel in the future workplace. GMDC-GVT contributes to integrating technology into education to enhance the learning outcomes. The project supports the schools and educational institutions by providing computer sets and thereby ensures digitisation in the education ecosystem.

GMDC-GVT provided computer sets in Shri Lodra Kedavni Mandal, benefitting 500 students. The computer sets include desktops, monitors, keyboards and mice, tailored to meet the needs of students and children.

  • Enhancing Proficiency in Computer Skills:By integrating computers into the classrooms, it enables students to become proficient in essential computer skills and software applications.
  • E-learning:The project facilitates e-learning, providing students access to online educational resources, virtual classrooms and interactive learning platforms.
  • Integrating Technology in Teaching Methods: The computer sets also aid the teachers to effectively incorporate computer technology into their teaching methods, ensuring they can make the most of these tools to enhance the learning experience.

At GMDC-GVT, it is believed that digital tools make learning more interactive and engaging, capturing students' interest and encouraging active participation in their education.

Providing Playground Equipment to School

GMDC-GVT supported Fulra Primary School, located near the Lignite Project, Panandhro Extension, with new playground equipment. The initiative meets the recreational needs of children while fostering their physical and social development.s

The project significantly benefitted 400 students at Fulra Primary School. By equipping the playground with modern and safe play structures, it is aimed to create an environment where children can thrive physically, socially and emotionally.

The playground equipment encourages the children to engage in activities that build strength, coordination and overall fitness. It also promotes social integration and enhanced motor skills.

GMDC-GVT's commitment to community development extends beyond the classroom. By investing in recreational facilities, an effort is made to ensure that the children in our communities have access to the resources they need for a balanced and fulfilling childhood.

Celebration of National Festivals and School Milestones

India celebrates important days of historic significance, collectively known as national festivals such as Independence Day on 15th August and Republic Day on 26th January. These festivals are pillars of national pride, embodying the spirit of freedom, democracy and non-violence. They hold profound significance in the hearts of every Indian, reflecting the core values that the nation cherishes.

GMDC-GVT is dedicated to supporting educational institutions in celebrating significant national festivals and school milestones, fostering a sense of pride and unity among students.

National Festivals: Independence Day and Republic Day

GMDC-GVT supports the celebration of Independence Day and Republic Day in 11 schools near the Lignite Project - Rajpardi and 7 schools near the Lignite Project - Tadkeshwar. These events reached over 9,000 students, instilling patriotism and a deeper appreciation for our national heritage.

Commemorating School Milestones

In addition to national festivals, GMDC-GVT also supports schools in celebrating important anniversaries"

  • Golden Jubilee Celebration: GMDC-GVT supported the 50th anniversary of Government UGHS Jharpalam in Burapahar, Sundargarh District, benefitting 208 students. This milestone commemorates five decades of educational excellence and community service.
  • Platinum Jubilee Celebration:Chhendipada High School in Chhendipada, Angul District celebrated its 75th anniversary which was also supported by GMDC-GVT, benefitting 1,006 students. This event marks a significant achievement in the school's long-standing commitment to education.