About the Project

This project is also featured in the WISE Book 'Learning a Living'

About School-Business Partnerships

The mission of School-Business Partnerships is to improve the quality of education by mobilizing and involving businesses and to move them beyond charity or philanthropy towards true engagement. The aim is to use the means, expertise and tools of the business sector to improve the management and education of schools through a school adoption scheme. In each adopted school a School Support Committee is established, involving a business leader, administrators, teachers, students, and parents as partners in improving the school.

Under this arrangement, businesses agree to participate in the School Support Committees and to finance the improvements identified while schools agree to be open to new ideas. Together, all partners are responsible for collaborating in activities that improve the quality and relevance of the education provided.

The first step for the School Support Committee is to undertake a needs assessment for the school. The second step is to help the Committee develop an action plan that identifies activities to address the school’s needs and start implementing it. The third step is when School Business Partnership assists them in implementing the action plan. The fourth step is to conduct a performance assessment. As a result, school conditions are improved with better facilities and equipment, the installation of computer labs and the renovation of play spaces and buildings, and extra-curricular activities are designed and implemented. Trainers receive IT instruction in partnership with Microsoft and learn about new teaching methodologies in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate Organization. Students receive training from executives on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and life skills in partnership with Injaz, a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide.

The efforts of School Business Partnership have already improved the quality of education and school facilities for 150,000 students in 300 schools.