DFCC Bank empowers young minds

The DFCC Bank's CSR School Program Award Ceremony was held at the Cinnamon Grand on March 1.

The recognition system highlighted the most deserving schools of the 6S programme for 2009. The winning schools were presented cash prizes based on the effectiveness of '6S' and 3R implementation and student behaviour.

Participants have seen a dramatic transformation in their schools since the adoption of 6S principles; the classrooms are better organized and the surrounding areas are cleaner and statistics show that 90 percent of the selected schools scored above 70 points on the rating scale.

The first place winner of the most exemplary school award was Udabadalawa Sudarshana Maha Vidyalaya-Kurunegala, the second place was awarded to Janadipathi Vidyalaya-Matara while third place was won by M.D.H Jayawardana Maha Vidyalaya-Battaramulla.

The ceremony also sought to initiate another phase to uplift a new batch of schools and prepare children for fresh opportunities. DFCC bank and Vardhana Bank in association with the Education Ministry introduced '6S' and environmental stewardship to schools in Sri Lanka in November 2008.

The program focused on educating and training primary section teachers and children across schools in Sri Lanka on the theoretical and practical application of the Japanese discipline 'Five S' with the added 'S' for environmental safety and the 3R principle (Reuse, Recycle and Reduce) on environmental stewardship.

The success of the project was driven by the participation of 240 DFCC bank staff volunteers.

Drawn from branches close to the school they took a personal interest in the implementation and monitoring of the project.

The presence of 5S consultant Lal Fonseka also helped in the smooth implementation of plans.

While monitoring was continuous, the project center maintained a quarterly evaluation of the schools.

They were initially guided by project teams in their fundraising efforts.