Edexcel launches Community Award Scheme for students
View(s):At a recent event held in Colombo, Edexcel, the largest examination awarding organisation in the UK launched a Community Award Scheme for school children. This initiative was taken as a result of Edexcel’s commitment to serving the community and engaging students from a very young age in this endeavour.
The website www.edexcelcommunity.com was launched by Manos Kapterian, Managing Director for Pearson Qualifications International with Naveen Rajlani, Senior Vice President , ELT and School , Pearson India and Premila Paulraj, Assistant Vice President of Pearson India Subcontinent.
“ As much as we would like our students to achieve the best results at examinations, at Edexcel, we have always stressed on the importance of developing the mind, body and soul. Each year, we embark on a new initiative to inculcate different skills, and this year, we would like to reward schools and students who engage in sustainable community services” says Premila Paulraj who introduced this award scheme.
It is noteworthy that this award scheme is open to students from International Schools, private schools and government schools. There are several criteria for evaluating these projects. The type of project, It’s continuity, Type/s of fund raising activities used and their impact on the society, whether it helps projects to be more accountable to the wider community, Imaginative and creative 
approaches to resolving a social issue, That the project is used to alleviate discriminatory and oppressive policies and practices, and to overcome inequality and disadvantage, Learning from the project and Efficient record keeping a few criteria used in choosing the best projects.
Also speaking at the event Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe: Chairman of Children’s Heart Project of Sri Lanka and Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Lady Ridgeway Hospital said that “there are approximately 3000 children born with congenital heart conditions every year, and that these children are operated at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Due to the limited facilities available, doctors are able to schedule only 50% of the operations, and are also done based on the urgency of the case. Currently the Heart Association has various fund raising projects to facilitate Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Tissue Bank and accommodation facilities for parents” said Dr. Samarasinghe.
Dr Udaya Ranawaka : Chairman of National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka and Consultant Neurologist – North Colombo Teaching Hospital and President of the College of Physicians of Sri Lanka, during his presentation, urged the need for funds to support those 
affected by strokes and the family members who also have to make several sacrifices dealing with a patient. He also stressed on the importance of educating the community on the reasons of getting a stroke and early diagnosis for immediate medical attention.
Edexcel plans to conduct a series of work shops for students to help them understand the importance of community services and discussions on a few recommended projects.
Special Children of Gateway Achievers moved the audience with their performance of “Lean on me” by Michael Bolton.
Details of this award scheme could be accessed from www.edexcelcommunity.com or the Edexcel Country Office on 2391103, 2333688.
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