Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Saturday that his government will start a spoken English course at 50 centres across the city.
Addressing an online press conference, Kejriwal said any person aged between 16 and 35 years and who has completed Class 12 can be part of the programme.
He said in the first phase, one lakh candidates will be given admission to the programme, which will improve their English communication skills through 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.
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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 admitted to the course.
Kejriwal informed that there will be no course fee but initially, people will have to deposit Rs 950 as security money.
"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.
A basic understanding of English will be required for admission to the course and those enrolling for the programme must have studied the language till Class 8, the chief minister said.
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He said the city government's Delhi Skill Entrepreneurship University will run the course, adding that this will be an international-standard programme as it will be assessed by Cambridge University.
In a statement later, Kejriwal said the government has noticed that those from lower-middle class and middle-class families face difficulties in speaking English and securing jobs because of this shortcoming.
"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.
It said in the first phase, the government will open 50 dedicated training centres and subsequently, the number will be increased.
"The Delhi government will tie up with Macmillan and Wordsworth for the programme. Cambridge University will assess the efficacy of this programme," the statement said.
(Inputs from PTI)
