Language proficiency for migrant workers

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Moves are under way to upgrade the language proficiency of women who leave the country for foreign employment aiming to overcome the language barriers which has become a significant drawback for them.

Under this program which is launched jointly by the Informal Education and Special Education Unit of the Education Department and the Foreign Employment Bureau, English literacy skills of Tamil and Sinhala women will be upgraded.

A 18 day literacy development program is carried out in centres which have already been established throughout the country. The Education Ministry has appointed trainers for these centres, Education Minister Susil Premajayanth said.

Priority is given to women who lack a proper educational background and those whose literacy levels are low.

Around 8,000 women are scheduled to be trained annually under this program.

The program will be beneficial to women with poor educational background, who seek employment abroad. It will give them a level of self confidence.