ITC provides critical support to state-run village schools, improving school buildings and supplying books, satchels and uniforms to students.

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has pointed out that the opportunities promised by market-based reforms are critically circumscribed in a nation where large numbers cannot read or write or count.

ITC's education support programmes are aimed at overcoming the lack of opportunities available to the poor. ITC believes that the extensive network of government-supported schools must be made more attractive to children. It provides critical support to state-run schools to maximise enrolment and minimise dropouts.

Its initiatives include improving school buildings, constructing toilets, providing electricity connections and supplying fans and lights. ITC provides students with uniforms, satchels and books. So far, 1,00,000 children have benefited in 7 states.
 
 

ITC has financed the establishment of Supplementary Learning Centres to help poor students cope with their lessons and improve their scholastic abilities, thereby preventing dropouts. This scheme also benefits educated local youth who serve as tutors at these centres. ITC-sponsored NGOs also conduct teacher training programmes to raise the standard of teaching in government-run primary schools. ITC helps NGOs to organise summer camps, sports and other extra-curricular activities as part of the overall development inputs for children.
 

			An ITC-assisted Supplementary Learning Centre (left) for underprivileged children. The dramatic improvement in the academic performance of these children has made such centres very popular with parents.