DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank rewards productivity in schools

DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank this week hosted the third Annual awards presentation for 6S implementation in Schools at Water’s Edge Battaramulla.

While recognising outstanding achievements by schools, prize money worth over Rs. 2.5 million was distributed among the schools which successfully implemented the 6S program in 2011. One of the highlights of this year’s project was the inclusion of 2 schools from the Jaffna district.

Additionally schools from Galle, Matara, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts were also chosen.

DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank launched this project in 2009 with the support of the Ministry of Education. Since its inception, the program has empowered and guided 90 schools around the country to reach their potential and become examples for others to emulate.

At the beginning of 2011 schools from around the country were chosen for the implementation of 6S principles.

6S is a combination of Japanese 5S principles and the added concept of Safety, which is essential in environs where children are present. The program also introduced concepts of environmental stewardship through the 3R method of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

Getting rid of unnecessary clutter and freeing young minds of burdensome distraction in their immediate school environment, while creating discipline and order were the primary objectives of the 6S program.

As was the case in the previous years, 2011 also saw volunteer contributions from DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank employees, who dedicated their ideas, finances and valuable time towards the successful implementation of this project.

A significant feature of the 6S implementation program was the method used by schools to source required funds. DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank understood early that the longevity of the project depended on a school’s enthusiasm and the ability to raise its own finances. In this regard DFCC Volunteers helped schools design and implement successful fundraising projects that would contribute towards each school’s project budget. These efforts were further encouraged by DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank through a matching grant program. This initiative was solely done to drive the schools to continue with the project even without the assistance of the Bank.

Students who became well versed with these good habits took their experiences into their homes.

They attempted to reduce waste, reuse and recycle products they used and most importantly they were organised and productive even away from the school. The clear benefits derived by students through the 6S project not only brought satisfaction to proud parents, but it also encouraged them to lend more committed support to implement the program successfully in their child’s school. Inspired by the success of almost all the schools which participated in the program, DFCC Bank and Vardhana Bank will continue to implement this project in schools with special emphasis to bringing ideas of productivity and environmental stewardship into young minds so they and the nation can achieve positive benefits in years to come.