The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Cambridge varsity certificate course for SC/ST students

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Monday, May 12, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Cambridge varsity certificate course for SC/ST students

Ravi Reddy

Pilot programme launched in two colleges
It will be extended to other colleges soon

HYDERABAD: In yet another initiative that is likely to come as a boon for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students studying in AP Social Welfare Residential Junior Colleges, the State Government has launched a training programme in English, soft skills and computers in collaboration with British Council.

The 45-day programme helps them to pursue higher education or enhance their opportunities in employment market before they complete Intermediate. They would be eligible for obtaining a certificate from Cambridge University ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). This is a low-cost new certification developed for teaching English to a large number of non-English speakers.

An initiative of the Employment Generation and Marketing Mission (EGMM) of the Rural Development department and British Council, a pilot programme was launched on Saturday in two colleges – Shaikpet and Gowlithotti in Ranga Reddy district.

Executive Director of EGMM Meera Shenoy said the training will improve the overall personality of the rural students, who are unable to cope with the higher education scenario as well as the tough job market. “Once they are trained, they can either appear for the entrance examinations to join professional courses, where these skills can be put to test or opt for jobs,” she added.

To be extended

Training programme was conducted for 11 Government school teachers and five EGMM English trainers, who in turn would take classes for the students.

These teachers would provide training to the students to improve English communication, soft skills like leadership, grooming and group work. Once the pilot programme gets the desired results, it would be extended to all the 42 Government residential junior colleges for SC and STs.

Principal Secretary (Rural Development) K. Raju said this was the first time employability training programme was planned for the SC/ST students.

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