British Council and CBB together with HSBC award 153 English Teachers with Cambridge qualifications

The annual Council for Business with Britain (CBB) Project English awards ceremony was held recently at the Ministry of Education. At the event, 153 teachers across Sri Lanka were awarded the University of Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) UK qualification, having completed a distance-learning teacher training course delivered by mentors in 31 Regional English Support Centres (RESCs) located around the country. 

The event was graced by several dignitaries: Ministry of Education State Secretary Thissa Hewavithana, British High Commissioner James Dauris, British Council Sri Lanka Country Director Gill Caldicott, CBB President and HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Mark Prothero, Ministry of Education English and Foreign Language Branch Director Maheshi Weerasuriya, and Ministry of Education Teacher Education Chief Commissioner K M H Bandara. 

The CBB is a non-profit, non-political organisation focusing on expanding bilateral trade links between Sri Lanka and the UK. Organising regular events, the CBB helps the business communities from these two countries to come together and pursue mutually beneficial business relationships for Sri Lanka and the UK. 

The CBB-British Council Teacher Training program was designed and is being managed by the British Council, with HSBC as the Principal Sponsor. The overall goal of the program is to upgrade the English skills of pupils, and this is achieved through improving the quality of the teaching practice in their respective schools. The project has trained a total of 67 mentors from the Ministry of Education’s RESCs, ensuring wide geographical coverage across Sri Lanka. The mentors deliver in-service teacher training in their respective areas using a distance learning course, which leads to the internationally recognised University of Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT). 

HSBC has been working with the British Council on this project for over 10 years, and has partnered on many other different projects in the sphere of English and Higher Education. The CBB-British Council Teacher Training program started in 2005, and CBB and British Council further strengthened their partnership by signing an agreement to continue the project for another year.  

British Council Country Director Gill Caldicott said: “Improving the teaching and learning of English in Sri Lanka is key to the future success of the country. English is a core skill for the 21st century –perhaps the most important to improve employment prospects of young people, to further international trade capability of businesses and organisations young Sri Lankans will work for, to support Sri Lanka in its aspirations to improve its position in the world as an international trading partner. We are delighted to extend our partnership with CBB for yet another year.”

CBB President and HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Mark Prothero commented: “Adequate knowledge of English is a compelling necessity to reap benefits of the many opportunities available in today’s society. HSBC, as a global bank that has been with the people of Sri Lanka for over 126 years, is delighted to support this program. It helps create opportunities, provides choices and builds bridges in helping teachers and pupils achieve their full potential. Enhancing the calibre of teachers in the country is one of the most impactful ways of creating a positive impact among the students.” 

Speaking at the event, Ministry of Education State Secretary Thissa Hewavithana said: “I am pleased that the Ministry of Education has been working with the Council for Business with Britain and the British Council on this project. It is an example of a successful public and private partnership. The Ministry of Education is keen to maintain its valuable relationship with the CBB and the British Council and to continue to support programs such as this one in Sri Lanka.  The Ministry also recognises the value of internationally recognised UK qualification like the University of Cambridge TKT and understands how motivating it is for teachers. ”

The TKT examination comprises of three modules which focus on the core knowledge and skills needed by teachers of the English language.