‘Play, Learn, Act’ is a new project of the British Council in partnership with HSBC, that will support children, teachers, school administration staff and parents in Bangladesh to enhance their English language skills through school activities, community events and competitions.
To mark its 150th anniversary, HSBC is making an additional global fund of USD$150m available over three years (2015-2017) to local charities and the British Council will receive a grant from this fund to deliver the ‘Play, learn, Act ‘ programme.
The launch ceremony of the ‘Play, Learn, Act’ programme, jointly organised by the British Council and HSBC was held at Amtoli Staff Welfare Government Primary School, Mohakhali, Dhaka on 12 August 2015 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
Dr. Atiur Rahman, the Honourable Governor of the Central Bank of Bangladesh, attended as Chief Guest to inaugurate the programme.
The programme’s objective is to enhance English literacy and communication skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) of 22,500 students from 20 primary schools over a span of three years, by introducing books and digital resources which will develop their analytical and thinking skills and help them express their thoughts and ideas in a more articulate manner. The schools, nominated by the British Council and HSBC and approved by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, will receive approximately 500 English language story books that will have accompanying high quality English language lesson plans and materials.
Project activities will also include 'Teaching Reading’ workshops, training for HSBC volunteers who will conduct interactive sessions and resource orientation with the students, dissemination of books, reading activities, assessment, intra-school art competitions and an award-giving event.
Francois de Maricourt, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bangladesh said: “How we do business is as important as what we do. Every year, thousands of HSBC employees around the world give their time and skills to local projects. We are delighted to build on this long standing commitment by partnering with the British Council to support their ‘Play, Learn, Act’ programme.”
Barbara Wickham, Director Bangladesh, the British Council said: “The grant from HSBC will allow us to enhance English language literacy and communication skills in primary school students and we are pleased to support the positive impact that this programme will deliver.”
Amongst others, high officials from Department of Primary Education, senior officials of the British Council and HSBC Bangladesh, students, teachers and volunteers of HSBC Bangladesh were present.