DFCC Bank’s ‘Samata English’ to benefit youth in Jaffna, Ampara, Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa

DFCC Bank CEO Lakshman Silva exchanges the agreement with Gateway Group Chairman Dr. Harsha Alles, while (from left): DFCC Bank Assistant Channels Marketing Manager Buddhika Srikantha, DFCC Bank Legal Officer Thanusshi Dissanayake, DFCC Bank Vice President Marketing Nilmini Gunaratne, DFCC Bank Deputy CEO Thimal Perera, Gateway Group Director Ramantha Alles, and Gateway Language Centre Manager Wathsala Dissanayake look on 

After two years of demonstrated success, DFCC Bank’s widely lauded CSR program, Samata English, enters its third year in 2019. DFCC Bank recently signed an agreement with the Gateway Language Centre to conduct Samata English classes for the third consecutive year in the selected cities of Jaffna, Ampara, Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa. 

Conceptualised to enhance spoken English skills amongst students poised to enter the workforce, the program aims to enhance employment opportunities and instil greater confidence amongst youth. Education is one of the key pillars in the Bank’s CSR strategy. Past students of Samata English have demonstrated high scores on English assessments at the end of the course, which has increased the demand for the program amongst youth. 

As the program enters the third year, DFCC Bank CEO Lakshman Silva says, “It gives us immense pride and joy to see that our CSR initiative is fulfilling a long-felt gap where youth from economically underprivileged communities entering the workforce lacked the required spoken English skills. This not only minimised their employment opportunities, but also caused them to perform poorly at job interviews. Thus, the course is designed to develop spoken English skills, boost the confidence of youth and improve their access to more opportunities on account of better spoken English skills. 

“Education is a critical component of our CSR strategy as the Bank is committed to promoting a knowledge and values-based culture in the nation. I welcome all the new students selected for this year’s Samata English program and would like to remind them that DFCC Bank offers internships to students who have scored highest marks on the course, so they should try very hard to gain the maximum benefits the program offers.”

Samata English was held at DFCC’s Gampaha and Kalutara branches in 2017, witnessing the participation of approximately 45 youth, whereas the scope of the program was extended to Galle, Kandy and Kurunegala in the next year for 96 students in 2018, between the ages of 18 and 25. The students sit for an initial assessment prior to starting the three-month course and a final assessment upon completion. The impact of the project has been more than evident in the past, as 70% students who sat for the final assessment after benefitting from the Spoken English course scored over 60 marks. In 2018, out of 96 students, a total of 87 students scored a First Class out of 96, which reflects how much the course has helped to improve their spoken English skills. 

The final assessment is conducted by Gateway Language Centre and a CALSDA Certification is awarded to students who have completed the course. DFCC Bank absorbs students scoring the highest marks for an intensive internship at the DFCC Bank which opens the world of banking to them. Selected students from Jaffna, Ampara, Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa will be the lucky ones to avail of this unique opportunity at no cost in 2019.

In operation for over six decades, DFCC Bank remains dedicated to advancing financial inclusivity whilst supporting the growth and development of the nation. The bank continuously strives to create sustainable value for all stakeholders and provide its valued customers with a comprehensive range of innovative financial solutions.