BICOM

Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Israel’s Education Minister Shai Piron to boost cooperation between the two countries over English language studies.

The agreement outlines collaboration in implementing a five-year nationwide English teaching plan in Israel, developed by the British Council, which it is hoped will involve thousands of English teachers across the country. The plan includes participation in joint seminars and the development of online tools.

At a signing ceremony in the Knesset yesterday, Gove said the agreement “will go a long way to contribute to quality English teaching in Israel. More qualified teachers means more Israeli children leaving school able to understand English.” He added, “Education cooperation is a good example of the flourishing bilateral links between the UK and Israel. Whether it be trade, tech, science and now education, the cooperation growing between us is evidence of a relationship getting stronger.”

Piron struck a similar tone, saying “Cooperation will strengthen the relations between the two countries and will contribute to advancing educational systems in Israel and the UK through the sharing of knowledge, teaching methods and learning techniques.”

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post this morning suggests that Prime Minister David Cameron could be set to visit Israel in 2014. Following Tuesday’s memorial event for Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, Cameron met with Knesset Speaker Yuli Edlestein, who was heading Israel’s official delegation at the event. Edelstein is reported to have invited Cameron to deliver an address at the Knesset, to which the Prime Minister responded with an agreeing nod and commented “happily.”