“SERELT” PROJECT TO EMPOWER RURAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS MARKS SUCCESS OF TRAINING INITIATIVE
HSBC Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning (SIHL), and the Postgraduate Institute of English (PGIE) of the Open University of Sri Lanka, marked the successful completion of the Skills Enhancement of Rural English Language Teachers (SERELT) pilot programme with an award ceremony held on 13th May 2026 at the Postgraduate Institute of English (PGIE).
The event brought together key education and development stakeholders, including; Ms. Indumini Darshika, Deputy Director of English and Foreign Languages in the Ministry of Education; Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement; Dr. Romola Rassool, Director of PGIE, Mr. Haaziq Feroze, Head of English for Sri Lanka at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and Mr. Tharanga Gunasekera, Head of Communication of HSBC Sri Lanka, alongside SERELT teacher trainers and beneficiaries.
Implemented across Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Monaragala, and Vavuniya, the SERELT pilot programme trained 165 rural English language teachers, of whom 158 successfully qualified for SERELT certification jointly awarded by the Ministry of Education, SIHL, and PGIE. The initiative has reached approximately 150 schools, benefiting nearly 15,000 students in underserved communities.
A key component of the programme was the provision of 50 full scholarships for the internationally recognised Cambridge Teacher Knowledge Test (TKT) Module 1, supporting teachers to achieve globally benchmarked professional standards. The SERELT curriculum was designed to bridge international best practices with local classroom realities, integrating Cambridge TKT content with 21st century teaching skills and social-emotional learning (SEL). Programme evaluations indicate clear improvements in teaching methodologies, particularly in student engagement, activity-based learning, and collaborative classroom practices. A significant number of teachers reported increased confidence in applying these approaches, with many already integrating them into their daily teaching.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne stated, “What we see today is not just the completion of a training programme, but the beginning of a sustained transformation in how English is taught and experienced in rural classrooms. That is where real change begins.”
Mr. Tharanga Gunasekera, Head of Communications of HSBC Sri Lanka noted, “SERELT demonstrates the impact that targeted investment in teacher development can have on education outcomes. By equipping teachers with practical skills and internationally recognized training, we are contributing to stronger, more inclusive learning environments.”
The programme was supported by a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning framework aligned with international standards, with findings indicating increased student participation, improved confidence in spoken English, and more dynamic classroom environments.
Building on the success of the pilot phase, SERELT will now move into its next stage, expanding to new regions including the Eastern Province, covering Ampara and Batticaloa, as well as Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya, and Kalutara districts.
