The Ministry of Education and the Peace Corps of the United States of America have officially extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enhance English language education in Sri Lanka. The extension, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, will see the program continue for another five years, beginning in August 2023.
This collaborative effort initially took shape in 2018 when the Ministry of Education and the Peace Corps Institute signed an agreement to work together on improving English language education in Sri Lanka. The agreement involved the provision of Peace Corps volunteers to support education initiatives in the country over a five-year period.
However, unforeseen challenges in the form of the Easter Sunday attack and the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the planned implementation of the program. As a result, the Peace Corps was unable to carry out their mission as initially scheduled.
In response to these challenges, the Peace Corps has reaffirmed its commitment to support Sri Lanka in its efforts to enhance English language education. The Cabinet of Ministers, under the leadership of the Minister of Education, has now approved the extension of the existing MoU between the Ministry of Education and the Peace Corps for an additional five-year period, commencing in August 2023.
This extension signifies a renewed commitment to bolstering English language education in Sri Lanka and promoting cross-cultural exchange between the United States and Sri Lanka. It is anticipated that this continued collaboration will have a positive impact on the educational landscape of the country.