Bank PHB on Monday made the second disbursement of its annual scholarship package for basic and secondary school students to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The presentation ceremony held at the MoBSE office in
Speaking at the event, the Minster for Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye, said she was delighted about the gesture.
Bank PHB has kept their promise since last year they came in partnership with the education ministry to provide sponsorship to needy students in secondary schools, the minister noted.
The gesture “will be put into good use”, she assured the sponsors, saying the exemplary bank’s donation has helped a great number of students.
Minister Faye said they have discovered that the high cost of books and school materials being shouldered by parents has been preventing many children, particular those at lower basic schools, from going to school.
She added that they have put in place mechanisms of reducing the cost charged on exercise books.
“This is very timely and we look towards future collaboration in this direction,” said the education minister.
Hon. Faye emphasised that Bank PHB has fulfilled their corporate social responsibility, which is in the right direction. “These students you are sponsoring now may eventually become your staff or your clients,” she averred, while encouraging the bank to continue the good initiative as “it is not going to be a wasted venture”.
The gesture, she said, has lessened the burden of parents whose children may benefit from the support.
She also prayed for the continued success of the bank, and for the partnership to go from strength to strength.
She advised the bank to look at the feasibility of opening branches or offices in remote areas as it is one of their challenges.
Speaking earlier, Chuks Chibundu, Managing Director of Bank PHB, said they are committed to doing what they do. The scholarship, he added, started last year with the presentation of annual scholarships to students of the
This year it is the turn of the basic and secondary education sector, the MD said.
The sponsorship is an annual commitment by the bank, MD Chibundu also said, adding that they deem it fitting to plough back to the people, especially in education.
