Toyota Kirloskar Motor Champions The Cause Of Quality Education With The Construction Of A New School In Karnataka

Underling the company’s belief in the power of quality education at grassroot level, the inauguration of the newly constructed Government Kannada Model Primary School at Ramanagara District near Bangalore was completed today with the support of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. Equipped with modern amenities, the school will benefit close to 500 children studying from Standard I to VIII by creating a wholesome environment for their inclusive and overall growth. Further, the school will provide a safer and favourable learning environment thus ensuring improvement in the standard of learning experience.

The new Government Kannada Model Primary School was inaugurated by Shri Dr. C. N. Ashwathnarayan, (Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka) in the presence of Shri. A Manjunath (MLA, Magadi), Shri. H. N. Ashok (President of Zilla Panchayat), Dr. K Rakesh Kumar (IAS, Deputy Commissioner), Mr. Ikram (IAS, CEO - Zilla Panchayat) along Mr. Sudeep Dalvi Senior Vice President & Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and other government officials.

Built more than a century ago, the Government Kannada Model Primary School has a legacy of providing quality formative education to renowned personalities like Late Kengal Hanumanthaiha (the second Chief Minister of Karnataka), Late C. D Narasmhaiha (famous Indian Poet and Writer), Late B Partha Sarathi (Rtd IAS officer) and many others. However, due to its derelict condition, the school was under-utilized and not able to provide facilities to school children in the community.

Under its CSR initiative, Toyota Kirloskar Motor took up this project and restored the school’s infrastructure. The newly provided modern facilities include - eight new classrooms with restored furniture, staff room, computer room, laboratory, sports room, toilets for students, kitchen, dining hall and a library. The school was completed at a total project cost of INR 4.63 Crore.

Commending TKM on its relentless efforts towards the betterment of the society, Shri Dr. C. N. Ashwathnarayan, (Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka) said, “Development of rural education plays an important role in economic and social betterment of the people and it is our duty to provide the right infrastructure and our government is working hard in this direction. We are glad that corporates like TKM are coming forward to support and help in this endeavor. This school has a very rich legacy and with this improved infrastructure i am confident that many young potential future leaders will be shaped. Through such iniatives we hope to bring about a positive transformation and foster better learning for children to learn and grow and be the change makers for tomorrow.”

Present at the occasion Mr. Ikram, IAS, CEO - Zilla Panchayat “Children are our prime responsibility and we are all tasked to shape their future at an early stage. It is heartening to see support from Toyota stepping up their commitment to combat hindrances in rural India. Quality education is the key enabler of a well-balanced socio-economic development. The power of education and knowledge transcends all social boundaries and for the holistic development of the nation, I urge more and more corporates and individuals to come forward with their steadfast support to enable quality education to all.”

Inaugurating the new school, Mr. Sudeep Dalvi, Senior Vice President & Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “The primary contribution of education is to stimulate and propagate knowledge in children who will become the change makers of tomorrow. Good infrastructure at educational institutions are the key factor in academic development and improving the overall wellbeing of school children. It creates a dynamic environment and gives special attention to the mental and physical wellbeing of the youth. Over the years, TKM has adopted a sustained approach at securing the future of the communities we work with, through committed investments towards improving education infrastructure for them. We hope the new Government School will help in promoting better learning while improving retention of children in schools and further translating into enhanced learning outcomes.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, over the years, has initiated several projects to accelerate access to quality education in Karnataka. The company began the educational materials distribution program since 2003 and has cumulatively benefitted 1,00,940 students in 1,319 schools. Toyota also initiated a school health programme to address the malnutrition, anemia and, eye problems of government school children in Ramanagara district benefitting more than 19000 children so far. Overall, sustained efforts have led to a visible decrease in the school dropout rates, in Ramanagara, from 5 % to 1% and observed a drastic increase in the attendance ratio. 

As part of its CSR intervention and supporting the Government of India’s “Swachh Bharat Mission”, TKM introduced Project ABCD (A Behavioural Change through Demonstration) which covered 58,974 children in 1,004 schools at Ramanagara district (Karnataka) to improve public health and sanitation in villages. Project ABCD has been significantly contributing to the Government’s Sustainable Development Goal of ending open defecation in India. This program impacted the children to motivate the parents to construct toilets at their homes. Total 13,518 household toilets have been constructed since last 5 years.

Toyota remains committed to bring in more enriching and sustainable CSR projects for the holistic development of the community members, thus effectively contributing to the underlying cause of positive societal development and bring in a change towards the transformation of the larger community.