10,200 US scholarships to learn English

Sri Lanka will receive 10,200 scholarships from the US for the development of English language skills of the University students in the country.

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake has drawn up a plan to enhance the English skills of the university students prior to introduction of English medium education in the universities.

Many programmes are being implemented by the Higher Education Ministry to make the university students join the society as Universal children. The plans are afoot to introduce English medium education in the universities. As an initiative, students who gained entry to universities will be provided American scholarships to learn English through distant education.

These scholarships are to be awarded by the reputed institute specialising in Distant education, “English First- English Town” which has 400 Branches in 50 countries and 34,000 staff members around the world.

Dissanayake and the US Ambassador in Colombo Patricia A. Butenis will sign the MoU in Colombo today. The Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Sunil Nawarathne said that all university students who gained entry this year will be facilitated to buy a lap top with a dongle enabling to learn English through distant learning programme.

Ministry expects to commence English medium classes in universities as the Ministry expects that about one third of little over 20,000 annual intakes will have the capability to follow courses in English medium.

Others will be first taught English through this scholarship programme before they are absorbed into English medium.

(www.news.lk)