Chandigarh: Planning to initiate a specialised teachers' training programme in spoken English skills, the Punjab government on Monday mooted a proposal to invite collaboration with the British government as well as with the British Council.

Punjab Chief Minster Parkash Singh Badal discussed this issue with visiting British Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills Pat McFadden, during their meeting at Badal's official residence here on Monday.

"Badal has appealed to McFadden to facilitate a tie-up with leading British institutions under which teachers from that country could visit Punjab for short-duration teachers' training courses to improve the communication skills of Punjab teachers. McFadden has promised to pursue the matter with the British government and with the British Council," a government spokesperson said here.

The British Council is already engaged in similar programmes like "Project English" in the state, but Badal sought to expand it under a long-term regular arrangement and for this, he also offered to establish a skill centre in the state. IANS