Breakthrough English training scheme for Burmese teachers

Monday 31 March 2014

British Council and DFID to co-fund £4.2m project as part of historic education agreement between Burma and the UK

Teachers in Burma are set to benefit from a breakthrough English language training scheme, signalling a milestone in the country’s redevelopment.

Co-funded by the British Council and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the £4.2 million ‘English for Education College Trainers’ (EfECT) project aims to improve English language proficiency and teacher training in the country by placing two native English trainers in each of Burma’s 21 Education Colleges and two Institutes of Education.

Highlighting significant progress in the UK-Burma relationship, the new scheme is part of a wider Memorandum of Understanding on education between Burma and the British Council – the first to be signed by the Ministry of Education in Burma and a foreign institution at ministerial level.

Kevin Mackenzie, Director British Council Burma, said: “The role of educational and cultural relations has perhaps never been more relevant in Burma. The EfECT programme, as part of our wider education agreement between the British Council and Burmese Ministry of Education, undoubtedly has an important part to play. Not only is it unprecedented in terms of our commitment to teacher training but it marks a significant and very practical step forward in education reform in this country.

“After many decades of working in extremely difficult circumstances we are proud and excited to be bringing the UK’s English language teaching expertise to these crucial state educational institutions. We look forward to continuing to help Burma’s people engage more with the international community and achieve their life goals.”

With roll-out beginning in September 2014, approximately 1,300 teacher educators are set to receive the training over the next two years. The project aims to make a broad impact on both levels of English and the quality of education offered in state schools.

For more information on the British Council’s work in Burma, visit http://www.britishcouncil.org.mm/

Notes to Editor

For more information, please contact Kristen McNicoll in the British Council Press Office on +44 (0)207 389 4967 or kristen.mcnicoll@britishcouncil.org

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide.

We work in more than 100 countries and our 7,000 staff – including 2,000 teachers – work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year by teaching English, sharing the arts and delivering education and society programmes.

We are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter. A core publically-funded grant provides less than 25 per cent of our turnover which last year was £781 million. The rest of our revenues are earned from services which customers around the world pay for, through education and development contracts and from partnerships with public and private organisations. All our work is in pursuit of our charitable purpose and supports prosperity and security for the UK and globally.

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