With the launch of the DBS Foundation x Sampark Foundation: Foundational Learning Program, the DBS Foundation (DBSF) and Sampark Foundation have partnered to transform learning outcomes for underserved children, marking a significant step towards raising literacy and numeracy levels in primary education.

The DBS Foundation has donated SGD 4.21 million (about Rs 27.1 crore) over three years (2025–2028) to the programme, with the goal of helping 512,000 students in more than 12,700 government schools in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh.

The collaboration supports DBSF’s mission to improve the lives and standard of living of marginalised people. Under the direction of its two main pillars—Fostering Inclusion and Providing Essential Needs—the Foundation funds creative, well-thought-out, and expandable initiatives that promote resilient communities.

“At DBS Foundation, we think that a strong start early in life is key to building long-term resilience,” stated Karen Ngui, Head, DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications. One of the most potent forces for equity is education, and our collaboration with the Sampark Foundation seeks to close the educational divide for kids in rural areas. We intend to provide pupils the tools and self-assurance they need to succeed in school and cultivate a lifelong love of learning by concentrating on early learning interventions.

“Transformation at scale requires frugal innovation, deep collaboration, and a commitment to impact,” said Arun Bhatt, Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships at the Sampark Foundation. Our goal of providing children throughout India with engaging and sustainable learning experiences is furthered by our collaboration with the DBS Foundation. We are integrating these innovations into the core of the public education system by collaborating with state governments.

The programme aims to solve long-standing deficiencies in the educational system by giving teachers organised training and supplying classrooms with interactive learning resources. Many Indian kids still need improved core literacy and numeracy skills, even with higher enrolment. The approach puts teachers at the core of educational transformation because it recognises their critical role in maintaining learning outcomes. Teachers will receive practical instruction in inclusive and innovative pedagogy, preparing them to create dynamic and productive learning environments.

State priorities for education are well matched with the DBS Foundation x Sampark Foundation: Foundational Learning Program. Non-financial Memorandums of Understanding have been inked with the governments of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh to guarantee growth and sustainability, integrating the programme into the public education system. The approach is built with government co-ownership and scalability in mind. According to assessments taken both before and after the intervention, the programme seeks to increase student learning outcomes in science, reading, and numeracy by about 30% by 2028.

In eight Indian states, the Sampark Foundation has provided 278,000 Teach-Easy kits, trained 850,000 teachers, donated 41,000 Sampark TVs, and influenced 18.4 million children since 2005. This initiative is a component of the DBS Foundation’s larger endeavours to assist and collaborate with like-minded ecosystem partners in order to generate societal impact on a large scale.

In order to better lives and livelihoods, DBS declared in 2023 that it will dedicate up to SGD 1 billion over the following ten years, in addition to 1.5 million employee volunteer hours throughout its markets. One of these initiatives is the programme with the Sampark Foundation. The DBS Foundation embodies DBS’ brand promise of “Live More, Bank Less”, enabling people to live better in all situations and at all ages. In India, making sure young children have access to basic education—the foundation for a better future—is frequently the first step in this process.

This all-encompassing strategy closely reflects the attitude of DBS Bank India, which partners with businesses from their inception to support their growth into SMEs and ultimately huge corporations, just as the Foundation supports individuals through the several stages of life. This dedication also applies to retail clients, as DBS Bank India helps them with their banking requirements at many stages of life, from creating their first salary account to assisting them in building wealth.