Programs and Events
Embassy Launches Scholarship Program for English Teachers
August 4, 2009
Chargé d'affaires a.i., Perry Holloway, launched the third edition of the Fellowship Program for English Teachers of public schools of Central Department and the Department of Itapúa on August 4, 2009.
During the ceremony, held at the “Clara Irma Piacentini de Cacace School”, a cooperative agreement was signed and a significant book donation with a value of fifteen million guaraníes was made to the school’s library. The event was attended by the Minister of Education, Luis Alberto Riart Montaner, and the Chairman of the Board of the CCPA, José E. Fernández Arrúa.
During his speech the Chargé d'affaires a.i,, Perry Holloway, said that the Embassy’s Scholarships Program "directly targets one of the priorities of the Government of Paraguay and the Ministry of Education." He added that it will benefit 60 teachers, 40 scholarships for Central and 20 scholarships for the Department of Itapúa, "the program to date has or will benefit 100 teachers from public schools with this special training course." At another point Holloway urged students to revise, browse, explore and enjoy the donated books.
“A wonderful day for the Education Ministry”
Minister Riart highlighted the importance that public school English teachers seek to strive for academic excellence in order to lower the existing educational gap between the private sector. In this sense, he encouraged the children to develop their reading skills so they can explore and discover the secrets of the world of books. To that effect, he cited the multiple benefits gained through developing the habit of reading, among them, the development of tools for personal advancement.
While holding a book written by Mark Twain, which formed part of the book donation, Ministro Riart reminisced how important reading was to him during his childhood. He remembered being bed stricken by a disease for more than a year and unable to get out of bed; he discovered a world of literary fantasies thanks to Mark Twain through works such as: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Yankee in Kings Arthur’s Court and the Prince and a Pauper.
Minister Riart stated in reference to the book donation and the English teacher scholarships, “today is a historical day for the Ministerio [of Education]” and expressed his warm gratitude to the U.S. Embassy and the CCPA for their continuing cooperation and for this book donation.
It is worth mentioning that the English teachers selected for the scholarship will be trained at the CCPA in methodologies for the teaching of a foreign language and interactive conversation. They will also be prepared to trained their peers in other educational institutions. The CCPA will include courses on aspects of life in the U.S., American values and principles, class preparation, text and coursework preparation.
This recently signed Agreement has the objective of supporting the continuity of this 1-year long training program, aimed at 40 English teachers in the Departamento Central, to be taught at the CCPA’s branch center in San Lorenzo, and for 20 English teachers in the Departamento de Itapua, to be taught at the CCPA’s branch center in Encarnación. The Agreement highlights the U.S. Embassy’s and the CCPA’s commitment to improving the level ESL teaching in the Paraguayan public school system.
The interviews and selection of scholarship candidates is the responsibility of the U.S. Embassy in close cooperation with the CCPA and the MEC. The applications with the necessary paperwork of the potential candidates will be received until Friday, October 16, 2009 at the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy section (tel. number is 213-715, ext 2201/2175) or CCPA’s office in Encarnación.