Imparting 21st century skills for better employability

The British Council, in association with Greater Chennai Corporation, has embarked on a Pudumai Palli project to train teachers and students of corporation schools in leadership skills and help students acquire the 21st century skills required to enhance their employability prospects. 

Speaking to reporters during the training programme for master trainers as part of the project at Chennai Boys Higher Secondary School in Nungambakkam on Thursday, Meikwei Barker, Director, British Council (South India), said that the project aims to enhance skills in English language, Information-Communication Technology (ICT) and leadership, especially among girls. 

Following an assessment that included a computer-based language test that was conducted in October and  November last year, 22 master trainers were selected. In the first phase of the three-year programme, the 5-day training programme for these master trainers started on February 1.

Following the training, the master trainers will reach out to 120 more teachers of corporation high and higher secondary schools. As part of the project, BCL plans to start 140 student clubs benefiting students from 70 city corporation schools. 

The project will benefit 14,000 students, 560 peer leaders of student clubs, 120 teachers, 22 master trainers and 70 head trainers over the three-year period.