Panasonic Group, with a rich history dating back to the early 1900’s, is deeply committed to social contribution, extending its corporate citizenship efforts globally. The overarching goal is to create a “Sustainable and Inclusive Society,” addressing three key themes: “Ending Poverty,” “Environmental Activities,” and “Human Development.” One significant focus area of its CSR is education, encompassing several impactful projects. Through education-focused projects, the company aims to empower individuals, foster inclusivity, and contribute to the creation of a sustainable and inclusive society.

1. Education scholarship for underprivileged students, Thane

An initiative for underprivileged students to provide support for higher education. It focuses on awarding scholarships aimed at alleviating the financial burden to 40 engineering students studying at Datta Meghe College of Engineering in Airoli, New Mumbai. 

1. Panasonic Scholarship Asia – Ratti Chhatr

Initiated in 2015, it provides financial assistance to the aspiring engineers pursuing education from different IITs across the country. It is open to students who are in their first year of engineering coming from low-income families. The program has already supported 253 students PAN India.

1. Educational support for slum children (Navjeevan school, Gandhinagar, Thane)

This initiative is aimed at providing free education to underprivileged children who are involved in activities such as rag-picking, begging, school dropouts, orphans, and those with single parents. Launched in 2022-23, this project focuses on providing quality education, school repairs, and essential infrastructure like benches and blackboards, also covering teacher salaries, events, nutrition support, and utility expenses. The project has positively impacted approximately 110 children.

1. Support for hearing impaired students at Thane (Kamilini School)

This project focuses on enabling hearing-impaired students to access digital forms of learning and enhancing their digital literacy through various activities including digitalization efforts such as setting up a computer lab, implementing e-learning initiatives, providing hearing aid support etc. Through this initiative approximately 58 children are being educated.

1. Evening Learning Centre (ELC) at Thane

This project aims at providing educational support to school dropout children preparing for the 10th-grade (SSC) examination, thereby, equipping them for future education and job opportunities. The ELC focuses on a range of activities such as providing educational materials specifically tailored for SSC students, implementing e-learning Methods through television and syllabus-based programs, and covering operational expenses such as teachers’ support, organizing programs, and utility costs. Till date approximately 62 children have benefitted from this initiative, out of which 45 students are ready for the SSC exam this year.

1. Day Care Centre for migrant children, Daman

The centre acts as a safe haven for migrant children of daily wage workers. The objective is to provide a secure environment and educational support to these children during their parent’s work hours i.e., 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The ongoing project entails establishing the necessary infrastructure and interiors such as TVs, bunk beds, tables, chairs, kitchen equipment, water filters, and CCTV cameras, and covering operational expenses too. The Day Care looks after approximately 50 children out of which 14 students have been formally admitted in FY2023-24.

1. Education – Model School Project, Haridwar

This project aims at enhancing the quality of education by providing basic infrastructural facilities aligned with the concept of a model school. Launched in 2016, the project entails various activities such as repairing classrooms and buildings, providing educational support such as books, extra classes, in adopted Government Primary schools. Till date 6318 students have benefitted from this initiative across 9 Govt Primary Schools, 2 Upper Primary Schools and 10 Inter colleges. 

1. Anchor Skill School, Haridwar

An ongoing project since 2018 with the objective to improve the skillset of youth to make them employable. The activities include providing skill-based training and subsequent certification in areas such as Injection and Compression molding, Mobile Repairing, Home Appliances Repairing, Electrical MCS assembly, Electrical Switch and Socket assembly, Pad Printing and Spot welding. Till date 2471students have benefitted from this initiative.

Before the implementation of Panasonic’s CSR projects in education and skill development, targeted communities faced challenges such as inadequate educational infrastructure, limited access to quality education, and a high youth unemployment rate due to a skills gap. Migrant children in Daman lacked a safe and supportive environment during their parents’ working hours. Following the initiatives, there has been a transformative impact. Educational infrastructure has improved, creating a conducive learning environment, while the skill development programs have empowered the youth, making them more employable and encouraging self- employment. Scholarships, evening learning centers, and day care centers have played a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty, resulting in an overall enhancement of socio- economic conditions within the communities.