Government of Andhra Pradesh Department of School Education Samagra Shiksha – SIEMAT
Memo.No. SS-15021/8/2024-SAMO-SSA, Dated: 15/02/2024
Sub: Samagra Shiksha AP Quality Initiatives-Enhancing English Proficiency through TOEFL Exam and Global Employment Opportunities – Implementation of TOEFL Mentorship Program and Formation of Oversight Committee Nomination of committee members – Orders – Issued.
Ref:
1. G.O.Rt.No.57, School Education (PROG.II) Department, Dated: 21-06-2023
2. G.O.Ms.No. 72. School Education (PROG.II) Department, Dated: 14-08-2023
3. G.O. Rt.No.44, School Education (PROG.II) Department, Dated: 06-02-2024.
The Government issued orders for implementation of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination and certification for students from the Classes 3rd to 9th of Government Schools and also the entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ETS to formalize this initiative. And also measures have been taken to enhance English proficiency through the provision of Interactive Flat Panels (IPF), Smart TVs. and e-content, with dedicated daily periods allocated for TOEFL preparation.
Acknowledging the significance of bolstering listening and speaking skills, the initiative emphasizes exposure to global accents through mentorship. It is proposed to pair the students from Class 6th with mentors (with a male mentor assigned to male students and a female mentor to female students).
The preferences for selecting mentors are outlined as follows:
a) Preference is given to alumni of the same school.
b) If alumni are unavailable, mentors may be selected from the same village/town or district.
c) In the absence of local mentors, individuals from outside the district may be considered.
In line with the objectives of fostering mentorship, the School Education Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh is collaborating with ShikshaLokam, a Bangalore-based NGO renowned for its expertise in mentoring programs, to establish a Mentoring Platform pro bono (Free of Cost).
The Director of the State Institute of Education Management and Training (SIEMAT) has been designated as the Nodal Officer for this mentoring program. ShikshaLokam proposes to pilot the program initially in 12 schools across the state for testing before its state wide rollout.
In this regard, a committee is formulated with the following members to oversee the TOEFL mentoring program and collaborate with the ShikshaLokam team.
