Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), the oldest international bank in the Philippines, has collaborated with the Department of Education (DepEd) to organize a series of school-based activities in support of DepEd’s 2023 Brigada Eskwela and National Learning Recovery programs. These initiatives are designed to prepare public schools for the reopening of classes and address the learning gaps that have emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DepEd initiated a five-week National Learning Camp (NLC) from July 24 to August 25, seeking assistance from various sectors, including the private sector, to conduct engaging and educational activities. These activities aim to foster students’ interests, develop socioemotional skills, promote personal growth, and enhance character development.
As part of this collaboration, SCB organized learning camps at Maypajo and Baesa Elementary Schools in Caloocan City. The activities included Filipino traditional games mini olympics and eye health screening in partnership with the Eye Hear Foundation and Magna Kultura Foundation.
One significant aspect of this initiative was the eye health screening. SCB, along with volunteer doctors and bank employees, provided free eye screenings to hundreds of grade school students and teachers. Additionally, free eyeglasses were provided to those in need, ensuring that visual impairments do not hinder students’ learning experiences.
Moreover, SCB employees actively participated in facilitating the fun games, promoting traditional Filipino games among the youth, and instilling the importance of Filipino culture. Furthermore, they organized fundraising efforts to donate essential school supplies to 200 students, contributing to their educational needs.
Bankero Mai Sangalang, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand, and Marketing at SCB, emphasized the bank’s longstanding commitment to supporting DepEd and its educational initiatives. Sangalang highlighted SCB’s participation in yearly Brigada Eskwela activities and their contributions to eye screenings and cataract operations in Caloocan and Pateros, benefiting thousands of public school students and teachers.
SCB has collaborated with non-governmental organizations like the Eye Hear Foundation and Philippine Business for Social Progress in these endeavors. SCB’s engagement in these educational programs reflects its dedication to fostering learning, well-being, and socioemotional development among Filipino students, particularly during the challenging circumstances posed by the pandemic.
