Foreign trips for best pupils
Talented students will get the chance to live and work in either India, China or Brazil
Thursday, 03, Jan 2008 07:53
Gordon Brown has announced the setting up of a fellowship scheme to allow 100 talented pupils to live and work in the world's emerging economies.
Under the programme, the principal or head teacher of a school will recommend their best students of school-leaving age to go on a six-week trip to countries such as China, India and Brazil.
During their time abroad, students between the ages of 18 and 19 will work as language teaching assistants in schools and in a multinational firm in order to help them sharpen their business skills.
They will also spend two weeks studying the culture, life and language of the country they are visiting.
Speaking about the initiative, the prime minister said it would enable young people to develop their enterprise skills and global awareness and help Britain understand the challenges of the changing world economy.
Applicants to the programme will have to outline a project they would like to work on in the country of their choice and will be asked to share their experiences abroad with their local community upon their return.
The first batch of students will meet the prime minister and schools secretary Ed Balls to inform them about their experiences during the six-week all expenses paid fellowship.
The scheme, which will be funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families and delivered by the British Council, will cost the government £1.4 million a year.