Commit to Change
The world's local bank- USA – Higher education support for students
- France – HSBC Education Foundation
- Korea – Island Watch for a Future Generation
- Malaysia – Reading and Writing Programme
- UK – Thriftwood school
- New Zealand – The Gifted Kids Programme
- China – Rural teacher training course
- UK – Kielder Challenge
- Singapore – Youth Excellence Initiative
- Australia – HSBCkids
- UK and Korea – Outward Bound
- USA – Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Global – Future First: Investing in our children
- UK – On-line mathematics
- South Africa – Disadvantaged schools
- Brazil – HSBC Solidarity Institute
- USA – Jumpstart
- Thailand – HSBC children's book
- UK – Tall Ships Youth Trust
- China and Hong Kong – Mainland/Hong Kong Exchange Programme in Special Education
- Malta and the UK – Eco-Schools
- UK – HSBC scholars
- India – Madhapur Mandal school
- UK – School governors
- Hong Kong, China, and Brazil – Zippy's Friends
- USA and UK – Teach for America/Teach First
- Canada – York University scholarship fund
- UK – Sailing Academies
- China – Soaring under the sun
- China – HSBC China Charity Federation Fund
USA and UK – Teach for America/Teach First
Teach for America
Teach for America was started in 1990 to tackle the educational disparities between schools in low-income areas and those in high-income areas. By the age of nine, an average student in a low-income school is already performing three grade levels (school years) below an average student in a high-income school (ie at the level of a six-year-old).
To combat this problem in an innovative way, Teach for America recruits newly graduated students from all disciplines to spend two years teaching in a low-income or otherwise disadvantaged school. While this fund of teachers is, in itself, an important step towards providing quality education for students in low-income schools, some of these teachers also stay beyond their two-year commitment to make a career of teaching - in fact, 35% of the 14,000 alumni are still teaching.
HSBC North America has donated US$165,000 to Teach for America since 2002. This funding has supported 20 Teach for America corps members since its inception and has enabled collaboration between schools in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. It is estimated that 1,700 students will be impacted by this partnership annually.
Those teachers that leave after two years become ambassadors and advocates for the educational system and students who are not receiving adequate levels of education. They have experienced the problems first hand and take this knowledge into whatever profession they then pursue - business, health care, law - or simply as active members of the community. These ambassadors play a vital role in spreading the message as well as raising sympathy, support and sponsorship.
Since 1990, Teach for America has impacted 2.5 million students across the United States.
To read more about Teach for America or to become involved, visit their website.
Teach First
Teach First was launched in the UK in 2002, based on the Teach for America model.
The HSBC Global Education Trust supports all of the Teach First maths teachers in London and Manchester - a total of 40 teachers - where Teach First has regional offices, and will support the maths teachers in Birmingham when the office opens in 2007.
At the end of their two years of teaching, Teach First members are given a graduation ceremony and HSBC has hosted two graduations so far at its head office in Canary Wharf, London. In addition, in 2006, Teach First maths teachers were invited to bring their three best pupils to the first Best Pupils Day, hosted by HSBC at its head office. The pupils received prizes for their achievements and were given a tour of the building, as well as tackling specially-devised maths problems.
HSBC Private Bank in the UK has committed to support three teachers in Manchester and Birmingham in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and three in Leeds in 2009 if the centre is open in time. Private Bank staff have volunteered one mentor in Manchester and Birmingham and three in London. In addition, Teach First is looking to expand its programme to help teachers consider issues of diversity including career and holiday planning relating to different cultures. Private Bank is keen to support this element and will supply a suitable speaker.
To read more about Teach First or get involved, click here
