US Embassy launches English access programme at govt school

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 29

The US Embassy sponsored English Access Micro-scholarship Programme was launched at the Government School in Quila Jiwan Singh village today. The Quila Jiwan Singh school is among the 18 educational institutions selected for the programme in India.

The Nanhi Chhaan Foundation in partnership with the Regional English Language Office of the US Embassy, New Delhi, started the global English Access Micro-scholarship Programme for the 100 underprivileged students of the local Government High School in Qila Jiwan Singh village.

Bradley Horn, regional English language officer, US Embassy, said imparting of quality education was a challenging task for countries around the world. He said many countries, including the US, face the problem of imparting quality education to its students. He added that to some extent it also depended upon the socio-economic background of children.

He said, “Through this programme we wish to prove that children with whatever background despite their humble upbringing can gain quality education.” Dr Horn congratulated the Nanhi Chhaan Foundation and highlighted the importance of English communication skills for higher education and better job prospects to the assembled students.

He said the selected students would receive two years of free after-school English language classes along with personal development through the US State Department-sponsored initiative, popularly known as the access programme.

Participation certificates signed by the US Ambassador were distributed at the inaugural event by Dr Bradley Horn and Harpal Singh, chairman, Nanhi Chhaan Foundation.

Harpal said, “We at Nanhi Chhaan are pleased that this programme has been launched in collaboration with the American Embassy at our adopted village - Qila Jiwan Singh. I urge all participating students, particularly girls, to make optimum use of the course to enhance their communication and leadership skills, which will help them access higher education and better opportunities.”

District access co-ordinator Sanjay Joshi said, “Classes are held thricea week by five Englishlanguage teaching (ELT) professionals, who usea learner centred communicative teaching approach. To ensure the quality of teaching, they receive regular professional update by an expert trainer from this field.”

The two-year English Access Micro-scholarship Programme provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged students between 13 to 20 years age group. These students will also gain knowledge of the US culture and democratic values through enhancement activities and summer intensive camps.

Participants will also develop the ability to compete and participate in future exchange and study opportunities in the United States (US). Since its inception in 2004, approximately 6,000 students have successfully completed the access programme in India.

Deputy Commissioner, Income Tax, Dr Tarundeep Kaur, was chief guest while Dr Kamaldeep Sharma was guest of honour during the inauguration of the programme.