New Delhi, July 8, 2024: Commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland, in partnership with Hinduja Leyland Finance, has extended the corporate social responsibility program, ‘Road to School’, to 352 schools in Erode, Salem and Dharmapuri Districts of Tamil Nadu with an aim to help improve the primary and middle school education in government schools in these three districts.
The purpose of the program is to bring about social equality among the school students in the remote villages. Overall, this program reaches over 1,700 schools and benefits 2,00,000 students in more than six states across the country. The program has been extended to 124 schools in Salem, 150 schools in Dharmapuri and 78 schools in Erode.
N V Balachandar, Consultant CSR & Corporate Affairs, Ashok Leyland, said, "Ashok Leyland has proudly nurtured this initiative, witnessing its remarkable growth over time. For us, 'Road to School' is far more than just a CSR program; it represents a company-wide commitment to driving real, meaningful change in the lives of students. We firmly believe in the transformative power of education and its lasting impact on individuals. With the inclusion of schools in Erode, Salem, and Dharmapuri into our 'Road to School' family, we are thrilled to expand our impact and contribute to building our country’s future.
“The Road to School Program over the years has created a huge impact in the remote rural schools which has enabled children to improve not only in learning levels but important aspects such as Life Skills development, Sports, Art and thereby improving their ability to be competitive. The program's uniqueness is the Social Development initiatives that we do in these villages align with the Sustainable Development Goals. The 'Road to School' is therefore a program beyond education and, in the true sense, focusses on holistic Development.”
The ‘Road to School’ Project in Ammapettai in Erode district was inaugurated by District Collector Thiru Raja Gopal Sunkara. The RTS Project in Konganapuram and Magudanchavadi blocks of Salem district was inaugurated by District Collector Dr Brinda. The launch of expansion of Road to School Program in Palacode, Dharmapuri district was inaugurated by District Collector Tmt K Santhi.
Road to School (RTS) strives to bridge educational disparities among students in rural and underserved areas attending government schools across India. The Road to School Program envisions fostering holistic development and promoting inclusive education as a means of social empowerment. It supports both academic and co-curricular growth, encompassing health, hygiene, physical and emotional well-being, and sports. RTS program is aligned with the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals on improving the quality of education, scholastic and co-scholastic development including sports, and art education, and promoting good health and well-being amongst underserved children from government schools.
The Road to School program has made significant strides in improving educational infrastructure across Tamil Nadu. With this, Ashok Leyland Limited and Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited have extended their support to 352 primary and middle government schools across Dharmapuri, Erode, and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu. These schools are located in blocks identified by the State government as educationally disadvantaged or in need of targeted interventions. This initiative aims to enhance the educational quality and holistic development of over 20,000 children enrolled in these institutions.
Since its inception in 2015 in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, the program has expanded remarkably. Today, it reaches over 1,700 schools and benefits 2,00,000 students in more than six states across the country.
