In a bold move to combat the alarming rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria, Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to providing access to quality education for all.
Through its targeted interventions, the Bank has ensured continuous education for over 16,000 students, empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
The Bank’s initiative, which focuses primarily on empowering the girl child, has also benefited male students in targeted schools, reflecting its inclusive approach to education.
By providing school essentials such as bags, uniforms, sandals, books, and pens, Polaris Bank is helping to bridge the educational gap in Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.
According to UNESCO, over 20 million children in Nigeria lack access to basic education, making it one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.
Polaris Bank’s initiative is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the importance of education in unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s youth.
“We believe that education is the key to unlocking the potential of our youth, and we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote access to quality education,” he said.
As part of its broader mission, Polaris Bank has visited several schools across the country, providing school essentials to indigent students.
The Bank has also implemented the Brighter Minds Programme, a transformative project that brings innovative brain-training techniques and emotional intelligence education to young learners.
The program has achieved remarkable milestones, expanding access to a holistic learning approach that builds resilience, focus, and confidence in students.
Each pilot group represents a new step in the journey of empowering young minds with life skills, made possible by the unwavering support of Polaris Bank, partners like EvolveCSR, schools, and parents.
In addition to its educational intervention, Polaris Bank has also launched the Inspire Teachers Training Program, a 3-day value-based education initiative aimed at equipping teachers with critical soft skills and alternative teaching methodologies.
The program explores topics such as heartful teaching, facilitation techniques, heterogeneous learning strategies, effective communication, heart-centered education, self-connection, and moral skill development.
Teachers who complete the program receive certificates and are encouraged to share their knowledge by training peers, fostering a ripple effect that promotes a soft-skills-driven approach to education.
While the initiative has made significant strides, the final batch of schools to be visited—Gbaja Girls Junior and High Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos — has been postponed to January 2025.
This adjustment highlights the Bank’s commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in its drive to provide access to quality education.
Polaris Bank remains resolute in its mission to bridge educational gaps, ensuring a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth through impactful and sustained interventions.
By empowering students and supporting educators, the Bank continues to lead efforts to transform the lives of Nigeria’s future leaders.
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