Formally announced during a press meet at Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu on Monday, the first phase of SMS will incorporate 10 schools from Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. These schools were chosen on the basis of need, the initiatives they have been taking despite having limited resources and the recommendation of the local government.
Representatives of Coca-Cola, UN HABITAT, Principal of the various schools and a student from Shree Tika Vidyashram Higher Secondary School in Sanepa, Lalitpur, one of the campaign sites, pose for a photograph at the launch of the ‘Support My School’ campaign at Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu on Monday. (Bhaswor Ojha/Republica)
“Less than 25% of public schools have separate toilets for girls and boys and clean drinking water is not available in most schools,” shared Neeraj Garg, Vice President, Operations-South West Asia, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia Business Unit. “This is a ‘golden triangle’ partnership of a corporation, INGO/NGO and government to provide various elements such as sanitation and drinking water supply to schools,” he added. Other elements covered by SMS include establishment of recreational amenities such as libraries and playgrounds, rainwater harvesting mechanisms as well as promotion of environmental awareness through Green Audits and tree plantation drives.
“This is a unique and necessary campaign for a country like ours,” said Bhushan Tuladhar, Regional Technical Advisor-South Asia at the Urban Basic Services Branch at UN-HABITAT. He stressed on the importance to create a learning environment in schools and also said that the campaign could only be sustained through the participation of the school management and its students.
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