BRITISH ENVOY CALLS ON PUNJAB CM

ASSURES TO COVER PUNJAB UNDER BRITISH COUNCIL'S

NATIONAL TRAINING FOR TRAINERS PROGRAMME

Chandigarh, March 30:

British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg today gave in principle approval to include Punjab in the on going National Training for Trainers programme of British Council in collaboration with Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India to train nearly 7.5 lac teachers across the country in the next five years.

The British High Commissioner gave an assurance to this effect to the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal during a meeting with him at latter's residence this morning.

 Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Stagg offered his whole-hearted support and cooperation to the Punjab Government for improving the standard of English teaching and up-gradation of teaching skills amongst the English teachers especially in the rural areas. He said presently the programme was carried out in Tamilnadu, one of the eight states selected under this project in the country.

He also emphasized the need for the exchange programme of teachers and students for mutual interaction aimed at setting new benchmarks in the teaching of English. Mr. Stagg asked the Chief Minister to send a comprehensive proposal in this regard to him at the earliest so that he could take up the case with the British Council and Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India.

Appreciating the initiative of Mr. Stagg, the Chief Minister assured him that the state government would extend wholesome support for successful implementation of the programme which would ultimately enable our students to compete globally with the oversees students. He said Punjab had an age old socio-cultural ties with UK as a sizeable chunk of Punjabi diasporas had settle there over past many years and therefore it deserved especial treatment in this case.

Mr. Badal deputed Director General School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar to tie up with the British High Commission and Human Resources Development Ministry to chalk out the modalities for the timely implementation of the project. The Chief Minister also asked Mr. Stagg that he would soon take up the matter with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to seek his personal intervention to direct the Ministry of Human Resources Development to enlist Punjab in the programme.

The Chief Minister also sought Mr. Stagg's cooperation for improving the system of policing in the state on the pattern of UK based Stock land Yard police, which was known for its efficiency world over.  He also proposed to send a delegation of senior police officers led by DGP Punjab to study the network of policing and intelligence in UK. The British High Commissioner welcomed the proposal and also extended an invitation to Mr. Badal to visit UK to further explore the possibility of bi-lateral trade especially in the field of agro-processing, garment and small scale industry.

The First Secretary Political & Bilateral Affairs Ms Priya Guha accompanied the British High Commissioner.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. K.J.S. Cheema, Director General School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar and OSD to Chief Minister Mr. N.S. Sangha

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