CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND EDUCATION SECTOR-A CRITICAL STUDY BY: KK. NAKSHATHRA

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND EDUCATION SECTOR-A CRITICAL STUDY
 
AUTHORED BY: KK. NAKSHATHRA[1]
 
 
ABSTRACT:
Today, education faces the rising challenges of standardized testing, strained budgets, teacher retention, and world personnel competition. Businesses have begun to require a a lot of targeted approach in their company social responsibility programs and area unit seeking to impact areas that have a correlation with their own business goals. for several businesses, education is a very important a part of their plans, since the wants exist altogether geographic areas, across all subject areas, and for every kind of individuals. Higher instructional establishments within the Marathwada ask for to induce quality and proficient students. For the perception of upper instructional establishments as quality establishments, it's essential that they behave in a very socially accountable manner. company social responsibility (CSR) is one in every of the helpful tools to absolutely have an effect on society and develop relationships with stakeholders. thus this paper explains prospects and challenges on each the social and company social control perspective. This study tries investigates the role of instructional establishments to surpass the CSR for making best human capital and conjointly explores the significances of CSR for promoting education and numerous initiatives of corporations in education sector as a company responsibility to enlargement education.
 
Key words: company social responsibility, Profit maximization – profit optimisation - education, issues, strategies.
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is turning into associate degree progressively vital activity to businesses across the country and internationally. It ensures the success of a business by the inclusion of social and environmental concerns into a company’s operations as a positive contribution to society. The success of a corporation will be created attainable only if the interests of all concerned stakeholders area unit met. one in every of the foremost vital stakeholders during this system is that the society within which the corporate operates. Over the past few decades, there has been associate degree increasing interest and stress on the idea of CSR within the society.
 
In order to push economic and industrial development in a very country, the essential demand is that the capability to develop skilled force of excellent quality in adequate range. consistent with population projections supported the twenty11 census was discharged on thirty one March 2011 (and was updated on 20 could 2013 out of one,210,854,977 nearly144 million of India’s population are between the age-group eighteen to 23-the target cohort for educational activity. CSR program is a necessary component in achieving smart business practices and effective leadership. corporations have determined that their impact on the economic, social and environmental landscape directly affects their relationships with stakeholders.
 
The awareness of the importance of education and skill is often seen among governments and international organizations, World Health Organization area unit primary holders of this responsibility. the majority national governments have the ministry of education that is liable for desegregation national resources to push education for the nice of the general public. Besides, governmental departments, multiple NGOs (non?government organizations) area unit dedicated to the advance of education, significantly across countries? boarders. One such example, maybe one in every of the foremost globally cogent ones, is that the {unesco|United Nations instructional Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO|United Nations agency|UN agency} (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), that aims to empower the longer term generation by rising the presence and quality of education. The United Nations agency takes a transparent position to gap the imbalance between developed countries and developing countries, yet as between genders.
 
Further, with the passage of abundant hoped-for corporations Act Asian nation has become one in every of the few countries within the world to own a statutory provision on company Social Responsibility (CSR). The Act provides obligatory contribution towards CSR with education being specified as associate degree eligible activity. The education sector (including higher education) is predicted to be a significant beneficiary of this obligatory CSR provision leading to improved funding for the establishments.
 
OBJECTIVES:
• to know the requirement of company social responsibility towards education in Asian nation.
• to check the problems of in CSR activities conducted by instructional Institutes.
• to understand the initiatives & ways of CSR in education sector.
 
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research supported secondary information thence alpha in nature. The secondary information and data are analyzed for making ready the paper extensively. The secondary info are collected from totally different students and researchers revealed e-books, articles revealed in numerous journals, periodicals, conference paper, operating paper and websites.
 
REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
1. Windsor (2001), article examined the {long run} of company Social Responsibility or the link between business and society in long run. The man of science tried to seek out out that whether or not the organization and society can come back nearer to every different in future or not and what is going to be the dynamical part of CSR. With the assistance of history or past trend of CSR, Caroll?s model analysis and in world context, the man of science found 3 rising alternatives of CSR i.e. conception of responsibility, world company citizenship, neutral management practices.
 
2. Bansal, Parida, Kumar (2012), paper entitled “Emerging trends of company Social Responsibility in India” in KAIM Journal of Management and analysis analyzed thirty corporations of eleven sectors listed within the metropolis exchange with the assistance of their annual reports. a number of these sectors were Transport instrumentation sector, Finance and Metal Mining sector, IT & Power, Capital product, Telecom, Housing, FMCG, Oil & Gas and Cipla. The paper thought-about the character and area unitas of society within which the businesses are finance. By considering all those areas it had been over within the paper that nowadays corporations aren't operating solely to earn profit however even have completed the importance of being social friendly. So, on the idea of the paper it will be same that social responsibility has currently started taking a flip within the new direction.
 
3. Bhattacharyya & Chaturvedi (2012), article entitled “CSR appearance set to emerge as associate degree freelance stream with measurable output” on Asian nation CSR website, expressed concerning the planned bill of CSR that however the bill can have an effect on the company?s policies. The researchers given their views and same that owing to this bill, company?s activities can modification plenty the businesses World Health Organization has not engaged in CSR activities until currently, can begin finance on society. Further, World Health Organization has already engaged in these areas can get a powerful foundation or bond with the society.
 
4. The Economic Times (11 Jan.2013), news highlighted regarding the corporate Dell?s strategy of motivating its workers in initializing CSR. The news mentioned that company?s workers ar the ability that forced the corporate to try to to additional for the society. Company with its workers has engaged in social responsibility activities within the areas of education, setting and employee?s welfare. Beside hollow Company, the news conjointly mentioned regarding alternative corporations like Maruti and Gogrej that these corporations conjointly offer induction coaching to its workers for getting ready them for community services. Maruti Company run a program named e- parivartan for a gaggle of workers to create them aware of community downside and their answer.
 
Need of company Social Responsibility towards Education in Asian country
Apart from the huge developments in Asian country there's a darkest section wherever youngsters ar being forced to figure rather than going colleges and receive education. Even with the enactment of Right To Education Act 2009, that enforces free and mandatory education for youngsters between 6-14 years, lots of youngsters ar being empty education.
 
Every year varied youngsters get listed in government colleges however solely few of them complete the education with success. the rationale is quality of education in government and government assisted colleges is deteriorated. They lack basic amenities, adequate infrastructure, adequate skilled academics, effective teaching aids and economical faculty management etc. The dropout rate among the women is larger than the boys. the most reason for drop out is that the stagnation i.e youngsters continuance same category once more.
 
The other conducive reasons to the current ar economic condition, state, and discrimination on basis of caste, gender, race and alternative Social barriers. just in case of upper education, the no. of aspirants is larger than the provision of the seats in universities. but lots of non-public universities are opened however the fees of such universities and faculties ar terribly high that lower financial gain cluster student cannot afford. The governments have restricted resources to tackle these problems; thus intervention of company sector in education is required. Organizations goodwill, its public image is additionally increased by its social responsibility program. in keeping with a survey, individuals tend to shop for a product additional if it's related to any CSR program. for instance, ITC is understood for donating a gross margin from any stationary things purchased by client to the welfare of colleges supported by it. They fine publicised it, and reciprocally what they got may be a boost in sales figure. Along with, public image leading to boosted sales, this substance conjointly helps them in disapproval. This disapproval has numerous direct and indirect benefits. Attracting masterly and proficient professionals to figure for the organization is one amongst the indirect benefits.
 
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPOINSIBILITY TOWARDS HIGHER EDUCATION:
One of the Certificate Project indicators of social progress is education, which might be same to be enjoying a crucial role for serving to the society in achieving self-sustainability and equal development. With increasing world recognition of the actual fact that profession will in a very massive method contribute to social objectives, education needs a company involvement at the next level.
 
With increasing privatization and domination of the free enterprise it becomes clear that one necessary condition for the thriving of business is that the existence of stable, honest and ancillary setting. This condition is closely connected to establishments and for historic reasons most Asian and African countries lag behind their European and North yank counterparts.
 
Educational problems ar so essential for human progress, social development and for the creation of a healthy economic setting. This has resulted in education earning international recognition as a driver of long run development of developing countries. thus it mechanically follows that business communities particularly transnational companies ought to play a big role in optimizing education conditions and lifting the poor countries out of illiteracy and absence of education.
 
India had to structure the education system in the least 3 levels. this is often created easier once the Corporates conjointly perform their duties towards society. so as to reap edges they need to possess universities and faculties UN agency can manufacture masterly and trained men. this may be expedited by provision of finance for analysis and Development, organization of workshops and coaching programs, infrastructural developments. At constant time the corporates even have to perform their duties towards society. Asian country has got to structure the education system in the least levels. This becomes potential only corporates perform their responsibilities towards society.
 
Our system of education is previous and obsolete. there's a robust need to alter the structure of education, at constant time it's the responsibility of corporates to perform their duties towards society. so as to reap edges they need to finance analysis and Development, organize workshops and coaching programs, invest in infrastructural developments, offer facilities for qualitative education to universities and faculties manufacturing masterly and trained men.
 
Education is a crucial half for several businesses as there exists a requirement for every kind of individuals and education has each the capability and skill to create a true distinction for all the players concerned within the education sector, for variety of reasons such as: improved money performance; build up of a positive smart can and name among customers and alternative stake holders; hyperbolic ability to draw in employees; development of brand name recognition; hyperbolic client loyalty; improvement in sales; build up of a additional educated workforce; enhancing client awareness on a selected issue and fulfilling the company’s mission or mandate. On the opposite hand college, students and academic establishments also can get pleasure from the expertise and experience that the companies bring.
 
Several Indian firms have taken the initiative towards teaching and vocational education. These embody Tata Institute of building Management at Aurangabad, ITC Welcom Group’s HotelManagement Institute, Reliance’s DA-IICT providing Graduate and undergrad education in Gujarat and Intel’s teaching Program.
 
The ONGC CSR comes specialize in teaching, granting of scholarships and aid to meriting students / youth happiness to the socially/economically backward sections of society. allow us to in brief mention here the necessity for CSR in Asian nation. allow us to in brief mention the necessity for CSR in Indian teaching.
 
One, teaching in Asian nation like in most countries could be a government supported Public smart. within the era of globalisation, liberalisation and Privatization marked by apace rising changes the assistance of the Corporates is fascinating in complementing Government efforts in serving to, explaining and promoting long run policies with relevance the downtrodden sections of society.
 
Two, it should be remembered that each the general public and personal sectors have their own issues. whereas public supported establishments suffer from dearth of funds, absence of infrastructural facilities, and government intervention, the non-public sectors ones area unit characterised by profit creating objectives resulting in high fee structure and absence of responsibleness. CSR can whereas creating the establishments a lot of responsible would enhance the standard of education being imparted conducive thereby to welfare.
 
Three, CSR cares with the motivation Associate in Nursingd encouragement necessary to require up socially accountable activities which will bring an improvement within the economic and moral slots. In spite of being one in every of the quickest growing economies, many issues area unit plaguing Asian nation. They embody impoverishment, illiteracy and absence of adequate health care facilities. Incorporation of CSR whereas reducing the menace of those issues would solely facilitate in strengthening of our economy.
 
Four, CSR has got to repay to society and guarantee cordial business setting. CSR has got to bear in mind that the society is chargeable for their profits. a company with correct vision in CSR is revered and rated well by the lots. Businesses whereas understanding the potential of those initiatives should invest an area of their profits in socially fascinating comes like education. Asian nation has Associate in Nursing abounding provide of labour and versatile force. Asian nation boasts of possessing Associate in Nursing internationally acclaimed Brain Power. the company sector has got to take a keen interest in investment in human capital that is fruitful.
 
Finally, CSR is thought of as an important bridge between organizations and society and conjointly a method which may produce awareness among Corporates, NGOs, Civic Bodies and Government regarding the values and importance of thereforecial responsibility so on scale back the gap between the privileged and deprived sections of society.
 
CSR AND INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN IN EDUCATION SECTOR:
Mahatma Gandhi pictured that education ought to facilitate curb social insecurity and social inharmoniousness. Objective of any academic initiative ought to be to inspire the pupil to place worthy efforts in any substantive initiative.
 
Several Indian firms have developed synergistic initiatives towards teaching and vocational education. The illustrative examples embody Tata’s Institute of building Management at Aurangabad and ITC Welcomgroup’s building Management Institute, HUL’s Project Shakti and alternative CSR education initiatives, ITC’s e-Choupal, Reliance’s DA-IICT providing graduate and undergrad education in Gujarat and Intel’s teaching programme.
 
DLF: DLF Foundation conjointly administered scholarships for worthy students from economically vulnerable sections of society and scholarships for teaching for aspirants notably from sure districts of Haryana and U.P. Notable among these programs is that the “DLF - Choudhary Raghuvendra Singh Scholarship for Excellence in Education”. Grants area unit provided for studies within the fields of Engineering, Medical, Management, Fine Arts and for excellence in Sports. These Scholarships area unit instituted for teaching inside Asian nation. the utmost quantity of scholarship is Rs. 1,00,000/- for the entire tutorial course. candidates area unit needed to secure admission to any purported establishment inside the country to be eligible for the scholarship.
 
Bharti Airtel: beneath the aegis of its flagship program, the Satya Bharti faculty Program, Bharti Foundation imparts primary and better education to assist in each holistic and tutorial development of deprived kids and youth across the agricultural pockets of Asian nation. lady kid gets special focus in these temples of learning, divergent data and excellence. This helps them connect with their own community and keep stock-still to their native culture. The senior faculty program trains students in line skills to assist them emerge as employable voters and contribute towards community development. presently 236 Satya Bharti Primary colleges area unit operational across five states of geographic area, Rajasthan, Haryana, province and Tamil Nadu; reaching resolute close to thirty,000 kids and recruiting over one,000 lecturers from native communities. Bharti Foundation launched the Satya Bharti faculty Program in Murshidabad district of the state of West Bengal this year. the inspiration stone for this new initiative could be a 1st as an area of the enlargement conceive to created ten such primary colleges within the district in due course of your time. of those 236 operational colleges, forty nine colleges area unit adopted government colleges, beneath public non-public partnership reaching resolute regarding six,000 kids, across Neemrana and Amer blocks of Rajasthan.
 
Citigroup: Citigroup declared the formation of its workplace of economic Education, beside a 10-year, $200-million commitment to money education. Since then, the corporate has developed course of study programs for aspiring entrepreneurs, faculty students with questions about credit, and pre-scholars United Nations agency area unit simply setting out to study cash, among others. Thousands of Citigroup workers volunteer their time to show these programs, that have reached folks in additional than sixty countries.
 
Indian Oil Limited: OIL instituted a chair within the memory these days KD Malviya, Ex. crude oil Minister, Government of Asian nation in late sixties within the Dibrugarh University, Assam. this is often one in every of OIL’s social gestures of promoting analysis works in geoscientific fields relevant to exploration & exploitation of organic compound for India’s autonomy. OIL contributes Associate in Nursing quantity of Rs.1 Million (USD.02Million) beneath its welfare Programme towards the chair.
 
Rural electrification Ltd: Providing grant in aid help to colleges in rural/remote areas for development of necessary infrastructure like building, electricity, furniture, computers etc. They additionally provide study material like luggage, books, letter paper etc. to kids happiness to the beneath privileged category of the society.
 
Microsoft: Project Shiksha (Rs.100 large integer or America 20million dollar), launched by Microsoft to enhance laptop education in Asian country, aims at coaching eighty,000 faculty lecturers UN agency would be educating three.5 lakhs students across the country is a very important step during this direction.
 
CHALLENGES FACED:
At present once the Corporates square measure quite able to be a part of hands with the govt., with the target of promoting welfare, obstacles square measure guaranteed to arise, a lot of therefore in a very country like ours thereby hampering the method of economic development. allow us to in brief hesitate them.
 
Firstly, there's general lack of awareness of general public regarding the conception of CSR. This hampers the incorporation of social responsibility in businesses.
 
Secondly, there's want for build up the capability of native non-governmental organizations as there's clear cut shortage of trained and economical organizations that may contribute to CSR activities.
 
Thirdly, there's absence of any clear cut CSR tips or policy directives which might offer direction to CSR comes. this might end in duplication of activities by company homes.
 
Fourthly there's absence of a agreement among implementing agencies relating to CSR comes. This ends up in duplication of activities by company homes.
 
SUGGESTIONS
• CSR programmes ought to contribute a bulk of their resources to education.
• Investments in analysis unfold of knowledge and communication technology from faculty level forwards square measure the necessity of the hour.
• Collaborations between Government, instructional establishments and company can accelerate instructional reform and therefore evoke the required social development.
 
 
 
 
CONCLUSION:
With the raised competition in education sector, the standards on that establishments judged square measure dynamical. whereas what goes into decision making a better education establishment may still modification and evolve, the building blocks of success in any competitive setting stay constant like developing a positive name and differentiating itself from the competition. Setting a company social responsibility strategy, and implementing the actions is one powerful means of achieving this goal. Most universities tend to focus solely on teaching social responsibility in terms of company social responsibility initiatives and don't transcend this by trying to enhance their communities). nevertheless so as to contend within the dynamical education business and additionally to satisfy their mission in a very world in perpetual transformation, education sector should acknowledge that their own actions ought to mirror the values and norms that they claim to embody. this implies deepening their commitment to CSR at the operational level moreover because the educational level, largely by information activities. this may not solely be helpful to the establishment itself however additionally are helpful to the society generally.
 
Websites:
1. www.timesfoundation.indiatimes.com
2. www.indianet.nl
3. www.globalissues.org
4. www.acme-journal.org
5. www.planningcommission.nic.in
6. www.indiamicrofinance.com.
 


[1] Author- kk.Nakshathra, BA., BL (Hons), LLM (property law)