NDB supports over 100 school libraries

NDB through one of its many CSR projects targeting education has supported over 100 school libraries islandwide. This project is carried out in partnership with the Asia Foundation where educational books in English are donated to schools across the island. This on-going project has been carried out through the Bank's branch network since 2008.

The books donated include those on general interest and on subjects such as mathematics, science, health, natural history and geography. Advanced texts in mathematics, science, natural history and other subjects were donated for the benefit of the pupils in higher grades. Through this initiative NDB has been supporting and promoting student growth and the improvement of English through reading in over 100 schools.

Chief Executive Officer, NDB, Russell de Mel said, "education is a strategic CSR focus area at NDB and within this English education is a primary goal. English is the universal tongue of the current global marketplace and has become the passport to wealth and opportunity, an essential requirement for almost every profession." "Proficiency of this universal language is critical for the success of businesses and the economic progress of the nation. Therefore today, English language has become an essential component in a child's curriculum and the foundation is set at an early age at school," he said.

"Good English language skills are widely desired by Sri Lankans and recognised by policy makers as the key to developing of a globally competitive labour force. Therefore, this initiative helps to uplift the standard of education and make a positive contribution towards this national endeavour," de Mel said.

"We hope to continue this project and support many more libraries across the nation contributing to student growth and improved English literacy," he said.

This CSR initiative also supports the schools to have resource-rich libraries. Resource-rich school libraries play key roles in promoting information literacy and reading for information and inspiration. They become sophisticated 21st-century learning environments that offer equal opportunities for achievement to all students, regardless of the socio-economic or education levels of the community.

Research shows that research-rich school libraries contribute to high student achievement and academic success as they teach 21st century skills, promote achievement, and play a major role in closing the achievement gap.

School libraries can assist in strengthening teacher effectiveness, supplementing early childhood education, raising graduation rates for at-risk students, providing professional development and support for aligning curriculum to standards, and preparing students for assessments.