DECODING EDUCATION ORIENTED CSR IN INDIAN CORPORATE SECTOR: CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS SDG 4
Any Indian company new to implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in education sector, does so based on its revenues, the sector to which it belongs, its values and stakeholders. Standard strategic approach to shortlist CSR focus areas in education would be to follow standards laid out by CSR teams of leading companies, think tanks, government educational policies and experts in the field of CSR. Qualitative data analysis of SENSEX companies’ annual reports from 2014–2015 to 2019-2020 reveal that 'education' was chosen as a thrust area by all the companies in the index. This study elucidates the major activities under the aegis of education driven CSR initiatives across different Industry sectors. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by United Nations General Assembly in 2015, includes quality education, which is defined under SDG 4. The education-oriented CSR initiatives of the Indian Corporates are aligning with the fourth goal under SDGs. Though education-oriented CSR activities were initiated in altruism, it has now been part of global development goals, thus contributing towards a sustainable future. Activities such as financial assistance for economically weak students, improving infrastructure and quality of primary, secondary, higher secondary and college education, promoting digital literacy, organizing vocational courses, upskilling, encouraging education of girl child and workshops for enhancing employability are CSR initiatives carried out by Indian Corporates.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), CSR initiatives, SENSEX, education, National Education Policy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)