14,000 teachers trained to improve students’ English from primary grades – Education Minister

The Education Ministry has embarked on a journey to improve the English Language skills of school students from the primary grades, Education Minister Dr. Susil Premjayantha said.

He said as the primary grades suffer the lack of opportunity to have their education in English, the Ministry launched a programme last year to practice oral English based on activities for primary grades.

A total of 14,000 teachers were trained for this initiative last year and more will be trained in the coming years. The Grade Three syllabus will also be upgraded in English medium from next year, he said.

The Minister made these remarks addressing the swearing in ceremony for the 25th Group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Sri Lanka held at BMICH on Wednesday (6). A total of 20 Peace Corps Volunteers sworn in will be serving as English Language teachers in selected schools in Uva and Central Provinces for the next two-year period.

According to him, more Peace Corps are willing to come to Sri Lanka in the next couple of months to serve as volunteers to improve the English Language skills of the school community.

First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe addressing the event said, the volunteerism and dedication made by the Peace Corps to serve a group of underprivileged students will be a challenging endeavour. However, it is appreciated by everyone.

She said that there is no doubt the Peace Corps initiative will be a stimulating and gratifying experience not only for the volunteers but also for its beneficiaries and the hosting families.

“English is not only the link language in Sri Lanka, it is also the portal to the digital realm, an opportunity for individuals’ educational achievements as well as a general drive for Sri Lanka’s global presence and economic prospects”, she said.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said that these Volunteers will play an important role in strengthening cross-cultural ties between the two nations, while advancing the importance of English language education as a crucial tool for participation in the global economy, contributing to Sri Lanka’s progress and development.

“Sri Lanka is America’s friend and partner, and this is a relationship that we cherish. Today, we benefit from the legacy of generations of Sri Lankans and Americans who have built and nurtured this profound friendship. Together, we have strengthened trade and commerce, and collaborated to promote peace and security.

All of those things are important, but perhaps the most lasting impact has come through the deep personal bonds created between ordinary Americans and Sri Lankans. You are literally the embodiment of those people-to-people ties”, the Ambassador said.

This group of Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Sri Lanka in November 2023 to begin 12-week long training which includes local language training and cultural and effective engagement within Sri Lankan schools.

Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn and invitees graced this occasion.

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