The MoU confirmed Pearson and Mongolia’s mutual ambition of improving the state of learning and teaching in Mongolia, through the agreement to collaborate on both BTEC courses for Mongolian Technical Vocational Education Training centres and the improvement of a K12 English language course. The MoU signing marks the next step in Pearson’s partnership with the Mongolian Government, following the delivery of a pilot project by the English Language team earlier in March.
Led by Minister Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren, Minister of Education and Science, the 14-strong Mongolian delegation also included Head of the General Authority of Education and MoU signatory Nyam-Ochir Tumur-Ochir, Mongolian Ambassador to the UK Enkhsukh Battumur, Director General of Education Policy Planning Department Oyunaa Purevdorj, and other senior representatives from the ministry.
Pearson’s signatories were Giovani Giovannelli, President of English Language Learning, and Jane Baker, VP, Business Development UK and International, who represented Workforce Skills. Pearson’s CEO Andy Bird joined the signing ceremony to thank the Minister and his team for their partnership, and the two leaders exchanged their priorities and ideas for future collaboration.
Minister Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren, said: “Pearson English curriculum has a digital teaching and learning platform for both teachers and students and it contributes to improving ICT skills of them. We have stipulated in the General Law on Education that English should be the main foreign language to be taught at all levels of the educational institutions of Mongolia. However, the English level in Mongolia is a couple of levels lower than the world standard. On the other hand, the English language teaching in state-owned schools is vastly different compared to private schools. We hope that Pearson will help us bridge this gap”.
“One of the rational for implementing the international programs such as BTEC is that we have to encourage young people to choose vocational and technical schools and earn IT qualifications. At present, education sector of Mongolia encountered a dilemma that over 90% of graduates from upper secondary schools enter to universities without paying a proper attention on what qualifications they will be getting and how it will make them to earn more income in the future. Young people need to understand that higher education does not guarantee their future. Skills are the most important gain they need to be emphasizing”.
Giovani Giovannelli commented: ”We were delighted to welcome the Mongolian Ministry of Education & Science to our Pearson Headquarters recently, as part of our ongoing collaboration to provide English and Workforce Skills. With the memorandum now signed I am looking forward to seeing our Pearson English Curriculum being rolled out across 38 schools in Mongolia as we support the Government in equipping its students with the skills they need to succeed in their futures.”
Following the signing, the delegation joined Fiona Blyth - the incoming Ambassador to Mongolia - and a wider group of Pearson senior representatives across English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Government Relations for a reception.
