200 young people from Santa Ana, Ahuachapán and Ilobasco begin English Access program
The Government of the United States and the Catholic University of El Salvador (UNICAES) inaugurated this November 7 the beginning of the new group of 200 young Salvadorans who begin the two-year program known as English Access Microscholarship (Access). 120 students will take the program at the UNICAES headquarters in Santa Ana, 50 at the UNICAES regional campus in Ilobasco, and 30 at the Colegio Josefino headquarters in Ahuachapán.
During the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador William Duncan talked about the importance of education. “We believe that education is crucial for the development of a country and we demonstrate our commitment to Salvadorans through this and many more programs,” he said.
The rector of the Catholic University of El Salvador UNICAES, Monsignor Miguel Angel Moran Aquino also talked to the new class. “We are beginning a stage of academic training that will undoubtedly contribute to the personal and professional life projects of each of us “the young people present here who have met the requirements to be admitted to this program.”
English Access provides a foundation of English language skills for talented young people between the ages of 13 and 16 from economically disadvantaged sectors through extracurricular classes and intensive sessions. It also provides participants with skills that can lead to better jobs and educational opportunities. Participants also gain the ability to compete and participate in future study programs and exchanges in the United States. In El Salvador, the English Access Scholarship Program has benefited 1,400 students since 2009.
