Accent on English language learning

Chennai:Standing next to a posh building that houses a software firm, the Government Madrasa-I-Azam School appears dilapidated. The damp-soaked walls and rickety blackboards notwithstanding, the Madrasa-I-Azam Mosque – on the same campus – resounded with applause on Friday.The occasion: 53 students of the ‘Home for Poor Boys,’ a charitable trust of the mosque, were awarded certificates at the inaugural of the Access Secondary School English Language Programme, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

The Access English Language Programme was started three years ago by the US Consulate to impart quality English education to students who would otherwise have no access to it. “In this modern economy, English language is very important,” U.S. Consul-General for South India David T. Hopper said, after awarding certificates to the students.Consul for Cultural Affairs Ragina Gupta said the course was not just about learning English.Chief Khazi of Tamil Nadu Mufthi Khazi Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub said Islam emphasised the importance of education.

“English is a language that nobody in the world can erase,” said Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali. He said that despite repeated requests to the Government, little had been done to improve the condition of the buildings in the school.The Access programme, a two-year course, is also conducted at the Anjuman-e-Himayath School and 60 students have completed the course. This year, 120 students will join the course.