526 teachers train in basic English

 EAST New Britain has trained 526 of its 1,092 elementary teachers in Basic English and phonics since the Government’s policy for English to be taught at the elementary level was implemented last year.

Last week, the Gazelle district saw its second batch of 185 teachers graduate in Basic English. 

The district had trained 166 teachers last year.

The first workshop was held in Rabaul district and graduated 175 participants.

The English training programme was the initiative of the provincial education office under the ENB provincial administration since the policy was implemented.

Gazelle district education coordinator Panuel Luana said the two-week workshop was aimed at training teachers to understand Basic English and phonics, approach in English language and classroom practice.

He said the workshop was a result of the Government’s policy for English to be taught at in elementary.

“We have 1,092 elementary school teachers and the remainder is yet to be trained on Basic English and phonics,” he said.

Luana said it was important for all teachers to go through the training to raise the standard of ENB.

This training was sponsored jointly by school board managements, Gazelle district administration, the district’s five local level governments,   and provincial and district education office for over K70,000.