Quality Education

On Quality Education (SDG 4), bank pursues action on below areas:

• Digital Literacy
• Socio-emotional (Soft) Skills
• Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
• Education for Sustainability
• Infrastructure Development and Education Consumable Supplies for Rural Schools

We are supporting four under privileged schools located in the remote areas on a continuous basis. While assisting those schools to upscale the quality of education we have undertaken to provide essential educational stationary items for every student annually. This was continued despite the setbacks of Covid-19. The bank is exploring ways to make an even bigger positive impact in the sphere of education and is seeking new models of education delivery and partners for collaboration in empowering the next generation through education.

• Sri Gnaneshwara Vidyalaya Makulewa, Nithalava, Galgamuwa – Since 2009

Principal of the school Mr. H.M. Jayasena approached the bank seeking support to improve their school library. The bank then included the school as one of the beneficiaries of the Bank’s 10th year celebrations and donated books to the library. There onwards NTB began funding of the infrastructure development of the school.  

2010/2011 - The bank constructed a building which currently houses the school’s computer lab and a classroom. Since then, the bank has funded the Primary play area and the construction of the school’s science lab (at an investment of Rs 4 Mn) which was declared open on 24th January 2017.

• Amunuthenna Primary Secondary school – Gallella, Ratnapura – Since 2011

The school currently educates 106 students from Grade 1 - 5 and the bank facilitated the construction of class rooms, water supply and toilet facilities.

• Government Tamil School – Mullivaikal, Mullativu

Constructed school buildings and supported the school in sourcing suitable teachers.  

• Wahalkada D-5 Vidyalaya in Kebithigollewa

The bank extended its support for infrastructure development in supporting with a donation of Rs.1,100,000/- to complete a new building.  

In commemorating our 20th Anniversary, we set the ambition to upgrade 20 ICT labs in schools. We engaged in revamping and upgrading computer labs in six schools. Computer labs of Thakshila Vidyalaya in Mahavilachchiya, Moragoda Vidyalaya in Galenbindunuweva and C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya in Borella were handed over to the schools after completion within the year, whilst work is still ongoing on three other labs which are Handessa Maha Vidyalaya in Pilimathalawa, Thirugnanasampanthar Vidiyalayam in Vavuniya, and Holy Rosary School in Colombo 02.  

Snapshot of Mobilization Digital Literacy Set up/Upgrade of ICT Labs:  

• Godapitiya Kanitu Vidyalaya, Akuressa 
• Vidyaloka College, Galle 
• Thakshila Vidyalaya, Mahavilachchiya 
• Moragoda Vidyalaya, Galenbindunuweva 
• C.W.W. Kannagara Vidyalaya, Borella

• E-Learning familiarization (shilpa64.lk) 
• Visual Programming (Scratch tool of MIT) 
• IoT and Robotics (Micro:bit and Arduino) 
• Video editing and graphic designing 

Programs conducted so far:

• Slave Island community kids and youth 
• Godapitiya Kanitu Vidyalaya, Akuressa 
• Vidyaloka College, Galle

In terms of the bank's CSR focus, we are keen to empower the next generation in providing access to quality education. We recognize that there is a dearth of funding for university level research compared to other countries. Therefore, a number of initiatives were carried out under our partnership with the University of Colombo and its Alumni Association. 

With the aim of providing quality STEM education we funded educational seminars with special focus on O/L Mathematics students in selected areas in partnership with ”SarasaviMithuro” of Colombo University.