Chandigarh: Planning to initiate a specialised teachers’ training programme in spoken English skills, the Punjab government Monday mooted a proposal to invite collaboration with the British government as well as with the British Council.

Punjab Chief Minster Parkash Singh Badal discussed this issue with visiting British Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills Pat McFadden, during their meeting at Badal’s official residence here Monday.

“Badal has appealed to McFadden to facilitate a tie-up with leading British institutions under which teachers from that country could visit Punjab for short-duration teachers’ training courses to improve the communication skills of Punjab teachers. McFadden has promised to pursue the matter with the British government and with the British Council,” a government spokesman said here.

The British Council is already engaged in similar programmes like “Project English” in the state, but Badal sought to expand it under a long-term regular arrangement and for this he also offered to establish a skill centre in the state.

McFadden has come here to attend a Punjabi wedding Monday night at Zirakpur town in Punjab, around 10 km from here. The marriage is of his friend’s son. Over 10 percent of the voters in his constituency, Wolverhampton South Eastback, are from Punjab.

-- IANS