USAID launches English teaching program in NE
[TamilNet, Friday, 16 July 2004, 14:37 GMT]
Mr. Justin Sherman, Country Representative of USAID's Office Transition
Initiatives (OTI) Thursday launched a US funded training of trainers
program to enhance the standard of English teaching in the districts of
Jaffna and Trincomalee.
"USAID is enthusiastic about this activity for several reasons, not least
among them the impact that English can have a link language in a diverse
society," said Mr. Sherman at the project launch in Jaffna Thursday. "As a benefit of peace, opportunities for self-advancement are at the top of the
list. This training will give teachers the skills and tools they need to
make a significant difference in the lives of tens of thousands of young
Sri Lankans," he said. The program, managed and implemented by the British Council over an
eight-month period, will develop the expertise of local professionals, and
enhance the motivation, performances, and job opportunities of students.
More than five hundred teachers and teach trainers, as well as 40,000
students in the two districts will benefit from the program, US Embassy in
a press release said. USAID/OTI's Sri Lanka program generated support for the negotiated peace
settlement to end the long-standing conflict in Sri Lanka. OTI supported
activities demonstrate tangible benefits of peace; increase the exchange of
accurate, balanced information on peace issues; and promote community level
conflict management and peaceful co-existence. Since March 2003,
USAID/OTI's flexible and fast small-grants program in Sri Lanka has made
178 grants totaling US$ 4 million, the press release added.
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