English proficiency course for principals

Dharma Sri Abeyratne and Gandara group correspondent,

Jayasiri Peduruarachchi

An English speaking and writing ability improving course will be conducted for principals and deputy principals by the Education Ministry, ministry sources said.

The course will be coordinated by the Presidential Task Force on English and Information Technology. The principals’ training course will be a phase of English speaking ability improving programme conducted for teachers. On the advice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Presidential task force was set up to initiate a widespread adoption of English and IT in the country. The task force has been mandated to improve the knowledge of English and IT of youths and schoolchildren with the long-term objective of providing skills to meet future demands.

The course has been scheduled as a certificate course which will cover 100 study hours. This programme is expected to result in a radical transformation of English teaching and learning enterprise in the country, ministry sources said.

Subject directors for English language in the Zonal Education offices will conduct this course at district level at teacher resource centres. Specially trained resource personnel will assist to conduct this course.