Adopt A School with Standard Bank

For the past three years, Standard Bank South Africa has partnered with Seriti Institute through the Adopt A School programme to support under-resourced schools in Gauteng. This collaboration has grown year by year, addressing different priorities to create safer, healthier, and more enabling learning environments.

In 2023, Standard Bank selected six schools in Gauteng to receive support as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives. Seriti Institute was appointed to conduct a
needs assessment and guide the distribution of donations, which included infrastructure improvements, educational materials, and enhancements to feeding schemes. This ensured that resources were directed to areas where they could have the most impact.

In 2024, the focus shifted to school safety and security. Seriti conducted site visits at 12 schools, evaluated risks, and presented detailed security improvement plans. Upgrades
included security cameras, gates, and burglar bars, installed through a trusted service provider. These interventions were successfully completed, providing schools with safer learning spaces.

Building on the success of earlier phases, the 2025 Standard Bank–funded initiative successfully delivered upgraded security infrastructure to 17 public schools across Gauteng. Implemented by Seriti Institute, the project focused on strengthening school safety through tailored, needs-based interventions.

Seriti Institute conducted on-site security assessments at each school, identified priority risks, and managed the contracting and installation of appropriate solutions. These included camera systems, gate motors, alarms, fencing, burglar bars, flood lighting, generators, and access-control measures – each customised to the specific challenges faced by the school.

All 17 schools received completed installations, with delivery notes and installation agreements in place. Significant resources were invested directly into school security infrastructure, alongside additional allocations for project management, ensuring effective oversight and accountability.

This initiative forms part of a three-year partnership that reflects Standard Bank’s long-term commitment to community safety and education. At a time when many schools face increased risks due to vandalism, theft, and reduced security personnel, the project has helped restore safer, more secure learning environments for thousands of learners across the province.

Through careful planning, collaboration with schools, and trusted technical partners, Seriti Institute continues to ensure that resources are directed where they are needed most – supporting schools to remain safe, functional, and conducive to learning.

Seriti Institute remains honoured to steward this partnership and to ensure that resources continue to reach schools where the need is greatest—building secure, supportive and thriving spaces for education to flourish.