Ceremony to hand over Certificates for the Hyderabad English Teacher Training Program

The ceremony to mark the handing over of certificates to teachers chosen to study in the Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad got underway on 7th September 2009 at the Indian Cultural Centre. The event was attended by Mr. Alok Prasad – High Commissioner of India, Mr. Sunimal Fernando – Advisor to President and Co-ordinator of the Presidential Task Force in English and Mr. Nimal Bandara – Secretary to the Ministry of Education. Proceedings started with the handing over of the Scholarship Awards and air tickets to the 40 teachers that had been chosen to attend the three month program in Indian. The Indian High Commissioner in his speech stated that the occasion was an ideal opportunity for the officials to meet and congratulate the teachers. He went on to say that his Government was happy to corporate with and support the Presidential Secretariat as well as the Ministry of Education to ensure the success of the training program.

Mr. Sunimal Fernando meanwhile enlightened the teachers on how the Presidential approach to learning English differed from that seen in the past. He stated that the group of 40 teachers were missionaries who would strive to ensure that the English Language be learned by placing emphasis on speaking rather than placing emphasis on grammar and structure as was the case historically. Mr. Fernando concluded by stating that the efforts of the teachers would be seen even 20 years from now when the English language will be part of the Sri Lankan heritage.

The teachers, representing the nine provinces of the country would be leaving for India on 15th September following a one day workshop that will be held in Colombo on the 14th September.