EU-funded vocational and English training project gets under way

The objective of the teachers’ training programme is to build the intellectual capacities in the districts by engaging teachers from Senior Secondary Schools,Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Polytechnics. Teachers’ training is an integral part of the project.

Trained teachers will deliver the learner model in their respective institutions. During the three-year duration of the project,5,400 youth in the district will be trained in English language skills and will find better employment opportunities.

Sirsa District Commissioner C G Rajinikaanthan said,“I am happy that Sirsa has been chosen one of the districts for this unique skill enhancement programme by the European Union and the British Council. The disrict administration supports this initiative and encourages teachers and learners of Sirsa to fully participate and benefit from the programme.

S K Sharma,Principal of the Girls’ Polytechnic,Sirsa,was of the view that this programme will benefit his students immensely since 50 per cent of the students come from a rural background with little or no English language skills. At the time of interviews and final placements,these students face a lot of problems and are disadvantaged although they may be very good with technical knowledge and skills.

A select group of 10-15 top-level decision makers from the Ministry of Labour,State and District administration,principals of Industrial Training Institutes and Polytechnics of Sirsa district and 50 teachers of the district selected from Government Senior Secondary Schools,Industrial Training Institutes and Polytechnics were present during the inaugural ceremony.

S K Joshi,Director-Training,ITI,Haryana,Vijendra Kumar,Director-School Education,Haryana and Pankaj Choudhary,Assistant District Commissioner,Sirsa,graced the occasion and addressed the audience. They were quite appreciative of the efforts being made through this programme to develop the intellectual capital of the district.

S KJoshi said that the “efforts of the Council are like sowing the seeds of change which will lead to a change in perspective of the youth of the district”. Sally Goggin,Director,Education India & Sri Lanka,and Alison Barrett,Head,State Partnerships,Project English,said that it marks an effort to contribute to society and help the youth to achieve their aspirations in life.