Sri Lanka receives US assistance in training teachers to develop skills to compete in global market
The United States (US) is reportedly training English teachers in Sri Lanka to help equip local students with a range of language, leadership and critical thinking skills to compete in a global market place.
“Giving students the tools necessary to participate in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace will assist them in securing well-paying, skilled work and enable Sri Lanka to build a competitive labor force,” US Ambassador in Colombo Alaina Teplitz has said in a statement.
“This training help teachers better prepare the next generation of Sri Lankan leaders to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The programme, named ‘Access’, which has been conducted by English language specialists from the United States since 2004, includes lessons on critical thinking, leadership skills, community service, personal development, and US culture.
A batch of 40 teachers had completed training at the centre in Colombo in December.
Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States, the embassy said. Access teachers receive training in-country and overseas.
Access trained teachers provide English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged students, primarily aged 13 to 20 at ten centres around Sri Lanka.
OSL take:
The government of Sri Lanka is keen on developing the skills of its workforce in order to increase the country’s competitiveness in the global market. The assistance given by the US for the endeavour is indicative of America’s close ties with Sri Lanka. The US has also indicated its keenness to further boost bilateral and trade ties between the two countries. US businesses/investors could confidently explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. Also, Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing business environment in the country and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country have made it an attractive business destination in the South Asian region.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20122019/Z_1 |