The Delhi Government will start a free spoken English course at 50 centres, in the first phase of which one lakh youth will be trained. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced a “free†Spoken English programme for youngsters with an aim to enhance their communication skills and help improve their job prospects.
The programme can be availed by people falling into the age group of 18 and 35, with a deposit amount of Rs 950 as a security deposit. This amount will be refunded after the successful completion of the course. The programme will be conducted by Delhi Skill Entrepreneurship University.
Addressing an online press conference, Kejriwal said any person who has completed Class 12 and is between the age group of 18-35 years can be part of the programme.
He said in the first phase, one lakh children will be given admission in the programme where their English communication skills will be improved by providing training.
“In the first phase, we will start this course at 50 centres where one lakh people will be enrolled. Anyone in the age group of 18-35 years and who has passed Class 12 can be part of the programme. This course will help them get jobs and develop their personality,†Kejriwal said.
In a statement issued subsequently, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government clarified that those aged between 16 and 35, who have passed Class 12, can take admission in the course. “The security money will be refunded after the successful completion of the course with full attendance. The duration of the course will be three-four months and there will also be options of weekend and evening shifts for working people,†he said.
“We see that children from poor, lower middle class and middle class backgrounds are not proficient at English and are unable to speak it properly. Because of this, many children get left behind and have trouble finding jobs due to poor communication skills,†Kejriwal said. “Delhi’s youngsters will benefit significantly from the course. It is our dream to provide good education to all the children of the country. Underprivileged children should not face any shortage in any way and this course is a big step in that direction,†the statement quoted Kejriwal as saying.
He noted that he did not want Delhi students to fall behind others due to a lack of facilities, so the government took a decision to introduce the spoken English course for students who felt that they were not proficient in the language.
He added that there will be no fees for the course but initially people will have to deposit Rs 950 as security money. “This security money will be refunded after successfully completing the course with full attendance. It will be a 3-4 months course and there will also be options of weekend and evening shifts for working youths,†Kejriwal said.
To take admission, basic understanding of English will be required and the children must have studied English language till class 8, he said.
Kejriwal added that the course would be up to international standards. “We have tied up with Macmillan and Wordsworth, and the course will be assessed by the Cambridge University,†he said
