British Council in talks with government for teacher training

The British Council India is in talks with the Ministry Of Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to set up teacher training programmes in the northeast, its director said here on Thursday.

"We are in close negotiations with DoNER to develop large-scale teacher training programmes in the northeast and also some cultural programmes. We are very excited about the opportunities to work with DoNER and state governments to bring some of the expertise that we have in other places," Alan Gemmell, Director, British Council India, told the media here.

"For example, in Andhra Pradesh we launched a programme to train one lakh learners in English and skills training. We hope to bring some of those outcomes to the northeast," he said.

Gemmell said the preferred model is to develop capacity of teachers in the region.

"Find teachers that can become master trainers and train them and build the capacity of teachers in the region. We have signed MoU with the government in Sikkim to do the teacher training and we are very keen to support the aspirations of state governments and also DoNER to ensure there are more opportunities for young people in northeast," he said.

The diplomat also stressed on bringing digital English language content to learners in northeast.

"We are particularly interested in working with DoNER to respond to the aspirations and ambitions of the young people in the states, to do English teaching and also provide skills training and cultural exchange, to help people get better jobs... ready to take up job opportunities."

Gemmell announced a collaboration with Sangit Kala Mandir for two art shows in Kolkata as part of UK India Year of Culture 2017.

The shows -- the screening of silent film "Shiraz" and performance by Wayne McGregor Company -- amalgamate rich cultural traditions with cutting edge technology.

"Shiraz" screening will be accompanied by live performance of a specially commissioned score by composer Anoushka Shankar and her orchestra.

--IANS

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