The Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium Business, successfully conducted a weeklong winter camp dedicated to aiding students in classes 10th and 12th in their preparation for upcoming Board Exams and guided them in making informed decision in their careers. This initiative, executed under BALCO’s ‘Project Connect’ education program, aimed to provide additional tutorials focused on the SEMA (Science, English, Mathematics, and Accounts) subjects, ultimately enhancing the students’ academic performance.
A total of 140 students from seven different schools in the proximity of BALCO’s operations actively participated in the camp. In addition to academic support, a comprehensive career counseling session was held for students of class 10th and 12th. During this session, students received guidance on various career paths available to them, aligning their educational aspirations with their interests. Information about competitive exams and necessary preparations was also shared, aiding students in making informed decisions about their future careers.
The camp also featured team-building activities designed to enhance the students’ collaborative skills, ensuring they function optimally in team environments. Furthermore, fire safety workshops were conducted, equipping students with the knowledge to respond effectively in case of fire emergencies.
Expressing BALCO’s commitment to accessible education, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO, stated, “Quality education is a cornerstone of our community development initiatives at BALCO. Empowering our youth with the right skills and education is integral to shaping the future of Chhattisgarh and India. Through impactful interventions, we are fostering quality education for diverse age groups, while also promoting skill development among local youth. This, in turn, opens avenues for learning employable skills, ensuring financial security and holistic development. BALCO is dedicated to enabling each individual in the community to empower themselves, aligning our various community development programs with that vision.”
Sharing her perspective on the program, Riny Dubey, Principal of Government School, Godhi, remarked, “BALCO’s contribution to creating a conducive learning environment for our students is commendable. The students will undoubtedly benefit from these interventions, particularly the valuable career counseling support, assisting them in making informed academic and job-focused decisions. Such initiatives contribute significantly to the overall development of the region.”
Initiated in the year 2016, Project Connect is aimed at supplementing the community’s needs for quality education, especially in Science, English, Mathematics and Accountancy (SEMA), through field instructors and volunteers from amongst BALCO’s employees. The project mainly focuses
on improving the learning environment in government schools by creating an enabling environment for improving students’ grades, capacity building of teachers and career counselling, through employee volunteerism. More than 2500 students have benefitted from regular and remedial classes.