ComBank launches science education program for 50 schools with NSF

One of the sessions in progress in the new STEM classroom at Dudley Senanayake Vidyalaya, Narahenpita

A new project to promote science education in 50 schools has been launched by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon in collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Science Branch of the Ministry of Education.

Facilitated by a partnership agreement announced by the bank and the NSF earlier this year, the project is one of a series of initiatives supported by the bank to take science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to schools across the country.

As a first step, five schools in the Colombo educational zone have been selected to implement the project at pilot level, and the inaugural program was held recently at Dudley Senanayake Vidyalaya, Narahenpita, the bank said. The other schools selected for the pilot project are Anuruddha Balika Vidyalaya, Dematagoda; Rajasinghe Maha Vidyalaya, Maligawatte; Wijayaba Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo 14; and Ave Maria Vidyalaya, Mattakkuliya.

More than 300 participants comprising of students and teachers from the five schools, officials representing the Government, the Ministry of Education and other organisations supporting the project attended the event. A STEM classroom was also opened for students’ use with the support of Commercial Bank’s Narahenpita branch.

After the inaugural session, technical sessions to provide hands-on experience to students were conducted by the Vocational Training Authority (VTA), the Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI) and the Department of Meteorology. The VTA also conducted a skills test for about 150 students aged 15 and above. 

Additionally, training programs in coding and mobile phone repair were introduced for students at Dudley Senanayake Vidyalaya. To promote urban agriculture, a session on hydroponic cultivation techniques, essential oil extraction and the science behind home gardening was conducted for students.

Commercial Bank’s three-year project with the NSF is focused on science and mathematics education, inculcating an innovation culture at school level, developing science and communication skills, raising awareness on nationally-important issues, providing a platform to showcase talents and skills of students, creating awareness of the evolving job market and improving students’ mental health.

Commercial Bank’s largest commitment in the sphere of corporate social responsibility is to digital technology education in Sri Lanka. The bank has donated 298 IT labs to date under its flagship community initiative to take digital literacy to even the most rural towns in the country. It was also a key partner in the national Smart Schools initiative where 165 schools were equipped with digital learning facilities. The bank’s ‘Sipnena’ online portal contains digitised school curriculum content, complete with practical videos and presentations to facilitate easy learning for students.