Rules change for foreign students to be debated

Free Movement – The Lib Dems have tabled an objection to the latest Immigration Rules changes, covered earlier here on the blog. Under the ’scrutiny-lite’ negative resolution procedure by which the rules become law there will therefore, unusually, be a debate in Parliament on the new rules. Although on past form probably not until after they have taken effect.

I can only assume that the educational lobby is behind this, rather than any point of principle the Lib Dems have suddenly fixed on. As discussed earlier, universities are being very hard hit on two fronts right now. Central government is slashing direct funding, while UKBA has also slaughtered the cash cow that were foreign students. Part of the cut-backs to the numbers of foreign students is no doubt deliberate, but a lot of it also seems to be through accident and incompetence.

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New guidance for points-based system sponsors

UKBA – The UK Border Agency has revised its guidance documents for employers and education providers who hold sponsor licences under the points-based system.

The revised documents – one for Tier 4 sponsors and the other for sponsors under Tiers 2 and 5 – are available in the Sponsor guidance section of this website. You can download a table listing all the changes to the documents from the right side of this page.

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Pakistan Militants Targeting Schools in Northwest

IRIN – Attacks by militants on schools across northwestern Pakistan are continuing despite army operations in the area which began in May 2009 in Swat District.

Since late 2009, at least 10 schools have been targeted by Taliban militants in various parts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), according to media reports.

Four children were killed in a September 2009 attack in Orakzai Agency allegedly in a bid to dissuade parents from sending children to school.

In the most recent attack on 18 January 2010 militants blew up a boys’ primary school in the village of Ashraf Kalay in Khyber Agency, also near the Afghan border.

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Study on barriers to HIV prevention and control in Africa wins award

A third-year medical student at the University of Leicester has won the Global Health Essay Prize 2009, part of the assessment of the ‘Health and Development Special Study Module’ that Skillshare International has delivered in partnership with Leicester Medical School since 2002

Andy King’s essay presented a critical reflection on the barriers of HIV prevention and control in Africa. Focusing on Uganda and Botswana it highlighted how religious orthodox practices are limiting the use of condoms as an effective preventative measure.

In his essay Andy argued that orthodoxy within religious groups is not dominant, there are also progressive groups within churches. Therefore it is important to work with religious groups that are open to find new ways and more appropriate interventions to support the fight against HIV.

The essay concludes that close collaboration with churches is important for implementing effective measures to prevent and control HIV.
Andy King commented:  “I was so excited to have the opportunity to take a course like this whilst at medical school and I’m honoured to have been awarded a prize for my essay. It was fantastic to work with an organisation like Skillshare and consider such complex issues in such detail. I think an international view on health is essential regardless of where you study and this SSM has really promoted a consideration of these issues amongst medical students.”

Dr Adrian Hastings who is the module leader for the Leicester Medical School said: “We were very pleased that the importance of global health to the education of the large number of medical students interested in this vital topic has been recognised in this way.

“However, the SSM is only taken by 7% of the students at Leicester.  The General Medical Council now requires that all students be able to discuss from a global perspective the determinants of health and disease and variations in healthcare delivery and medical practice.  The challenge for UK medical schools is how to introduce this teaching into the Core Curriculum.”

Andy King received his prize from the Secretary of State for International Development (DFID) Douglas Alexander MP, during a recent visit to the East Midlands to promote DFID’s new funding for the Fair Trade Foundation.

Raul Pardinaz-Solis from Skillshare, who coordinates the Special Study Module in his role as Development Awareness Officer, said: “It was a great opportunity for our work in development awareness in health to be acknowledged by Douglas Alexander, particularly when development education is under criticism from outside and within the sector.

“Andy’s essay explores a very controversial issue around the impact of religious orthodoxy on the control of HIV in Sub Sahara Africa and it was great to hear that Mr Alexander enjoyed reading it and that he recognises the work Skillshare International is doing in development awareness. We are building a constituency of young professionals who have an understanding of international development issues, which will benefit us all in the future”.

Interactive Roadshows that highlight diversity, cohesion & belonging

Passage is a hands-on interactive day-long roadshow that uses the plight of forced migrants to highlight diversity, cohesion and belonging. The roadshow, a groundbreaking schools resource  is supported by Baca Project, a Loughborough based charity established to welcome young people who arrive in this country from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea, Albania, Palestine and Sudan amongst others.

Following a successful pilot event in conjunction with Loughborough Learning Partnership and QCA, Passage compliments and fulfils the Revised 2008 Cross-Curriculum dimensions of ‘identity and cultural diversity’, ‘community participation’ and ‘global dimension’. It has now been delivered to local high schools, colleges, e2e, church and university groups

The day’s event allows students to step into the shoes of an asylum seeker and experience the journey themselves, discovering what it means to leave all you have behind and how your identity is shaped by such transitions.

The roadshow is split into four sections

•    Identity – showing videos, post it notes exercise & flash card activity
•    The Experience – Activity about asylum seekers’ journey
•    Interview with an asylum seeker
•    Quiz & Art,Drama and ICT workshops

John Amery, the Passage coordinator said, “Without exception whenever we deliver the roadshow the comments from staff and students reflect the way in which opinions and stereotypes have been constructively challenged.  Nearly every student goes away with a renewed appreciation for their Western lifestyle and a greater awareness of the impact their remarks can have on people around them.

One school staff member from a school in Market Bosworth recently said, “I’ve never seen our students engage so well with anything for that long.  It was really engrossing – during the interview you could hear a pin drop!  The quality of the day was excellent – the content, delivery and all the activities – it was just superb, and I think the message has made some of the staff think twice about a few things too!”

In Shepshed, one staff member was so emotionally touched after hearing a heart-rending interview of an asylum seeker who gave a moving account of the experiences he went through before he got to this country. She said, “Please tell the gentleman that spoke, – ‘thank you for sharing your story with us. Your doing so is more valuable than any written account. It brings it home and makes it far more real for the students.”

For further information contact The Passage team on 01509 550438. Passage Flier is available to download if you would like to pass it onto a friend, colleague or school. Visit www.bacaproject.org.uk/passage. Use online contact form to book Passage Roadshow or e-mail schools@bacaproject.org.uk

Zimbabwe Teachers Network- The Official Launch Report

The launch started with the warm welcome to guests by two students, Tanya and Wayne who then introduced the Master of Ceremony, Tazvitya Changata. (DJ Taxi) Tazvitya introduced Dumi Senda, a renowned poet who performed education based poems clearly outlining the plight of children in Zimbabwe. Ras-I-Chy, a Reggae musician rocked the house with a powerful song on the importance of education.

Washington Ali, the guest speaker and chairman of the Racial Equality Council in Essex, paid tribute to the work of the Zimbabwe Teachers Network and asked Barbara and Munashe to remain committed and strong because the magnitude of the problem demanded that.

Tazvitya also relived his experiences in the classroom, an experience he was forced to abandon because of the economic and other hardships.

Albert Nyathi paid tribute to the work of the Zimbabwe Teachers Network to address the critical shortage of teaching and learning resources in Zimbabwe. He recounted how he had had to move his son from one school to the other in search of decent education. In the end his son had to repeat because the lack of resources and teachers had made it almost impossible for him to get a year’s worth of learning. His poetry was a testimony to his love of Zimbabwe and its children.

Munashe Moyo-Godo, teacher, humanitarian, editor and Director of Zimbabwe Teachers Network thanked all in the audience and all who support the cause. The teacher’s speech took the audience down memory lane as she recounted her first year at teaching at a very remote and disadvantaged school in the heart of Buhera. Becoming part of that community exposed her to the desperation and despair that dominated the lives of her students. Their shattered dreams, and hopelessness have continued with her. As a result of her experience Munashe promised herself that given an opportunity she would work towards making disadvantaged students’ hopes, dreams a and aspirations a reality one day. The objectives of the organisation, achievements and the development of the Global Staffroom- Zimteachnet we discussed in great detail. She graciously thanked her husband, Fungai and children for helping to make that promise a reality. Sincere appreciation also went to Secretary Barbara Nyagomo- Mambo, and passionate humanitarian who has dedicated her time, knowledge and skills, and together with Munashe and Fungai, resources to make it possible to accomplish some of their objectives including the launch. ‘You don’t get to meet a lot of people like Barbara, thank you Barbara’ she ended. Introducing Jusa Dementor (Tawanda Sibotshiwe) and Ashley Cloete, the organisation’s Goodwill Ambassadors she described them as talented and well- accomplished and yet humble young people. Thanking the Goodwill Ambassadors for joining the cause she ended ‘sometimes words are just not enough, thank you’.

Albert Nyathi’s poem ‘My daughter’ got Betty Makoni – a champion for the rights and empowerment of girls – fired up. The founder and president of the Girl Child Network Worldwide and founder of Girl Child Network Zimbabwe explained that she had travelled from Botswana that same day specifically to attend the launch because she passionately believes in the noble cause and was fully in support of it. The CNN Heroes Award nominee recounted her poor background as a young orphaned girl and how education was her only escape from a life of poverty to what she is today. Having been rescued from poverty by a Catholic nun she promised to repay and indeed is repaying the generousity by donating her brains for the betterment of girl- children in the future.

Miss Intercontinental Zimbabwe and University student Ashleigh Cloete adorned in her regalia thanked Munashe for the honour of joining Zimbabwe Teachers Network. The Zimbabwe Teachers Network Goodwill Ambassador stressed the need for unity and cooperation in the fight for the children’s lives. After her speech, she then led the Miss Malaika fashion parade.

Goodwill ambassador Jusa Dementor a university student, musician, record producer, multiple award nominee and winner expressed gratitude for the honour and a passionate belief in the cause. The rest of his speech in song that rocked the house and brought the audience to their feet, was a passionate appeal for unity and fighting for a basic right, the right of education for every child. He also donated half of the proceeds from the sale of his music album ‘Konzeresa Riddim’.

Humanitarian Freeman Ncube applauded Munashe and Barbara’s work.

We would like to thank the following people who made the launch a success:
Betina Tina Sibanda- for her tremendous help with organising the event
Rob Strobel- Amarda Events Management who made the promotional video.
The Radio Stations and Presenters who interviewed the Director of the organisation: Padare Radio, DJ Taxi Changata; Panj Pani Radio and Hatnews Elisha Shamba; and Hwamanda Radio, Chris Kusema
One TV Africa filmed the event
Artists who volunteered to perform at the event: Albert Nyathi, Jusa Dementor, Ras-I-Chy, Dumi Senda
Speaker Ashleigh Cloete led the Miss Malaika fashion show
Lion Press Publishers- Sarudzayi Barnes

Speakers: Guest Speaker Mr Washington Ali: Chairman of the Racial Equality Council in Essex, Speaker Betty Makoni: President of the Girl Child Network World Wide, Master of Ceremony and speaker: Mr Tazvitya Changata: Radio Presenter- Padare Radio and former school teacher in Zimbabwe; speaker: Mr Freemen Ncube formally Coventry Refugee Center; speaker: Mr Biti former teacher in Zimbabwe

For pictures go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51661024510&v=photos&ref=ts

By Munashe Moyo- Godo
info@zimteachers.com
www.zimteachers.com

Global Staffroom:Zimteachnet

Zimteachnet is a platform developed to facilitate the interchange of ideas between educators and non-educators around the world. Zimteachnet offers information, teaching resources and a platform for productive debate. Zimteachnet is complemented by a member’s page which has member’s profiles and email and a facility for online discussions. At the moment Zimteachnet has over 70 members from around the world.

Who can join? All are welcome. You don’t have to be a teacher or a student BUT you have to be interested in changing lives through education.
Register at www.zimteachers.com

Zimbabwe Teachers Network is an organisation dedicated to enabling a productive education system in disadvantaged Zimbabwe schools, which through: teacher professional development, provision of essential education needs, and harnessing of human resources through interchange with other educators and students worldwide, produces a capable, innovative and self- reliant future generation.

Objectives:

1. Improve learning and teaching in schools through the provision of resources, and promoting self-reliance to disadvantaged schools in Zimbabwe
2. Restock or create libraries or resource centers in needy schools and communities
3. Twin schools in Zimbabwe to schools in other parts of the world with a view to encouraging the interchange of ideas aimed at improving teaching and learning
4. Provide a platform for the interchange of ideas between educators, non-educators and students
5. Support efforts to improve teaching and learning around the world
6. Promote good practice through the provision of information and on-going professional development to teachers
7. Undertake research on sociological, psychological and philosophical issues affecting teaching and learning in Zimbabwe with a view to improving education.

View Promotional Video here

The Zimbabwe Teachers Network will be officially launched in Birmingham on the 31st of October 2009. The venue is Malika House, 81 George Street, Lozells, B19 1NS. Zimbawean musicians: Albert Nyathi, Jusa Demento, Primrose Urombo, Afro Face will be performing at the launch.

For more details contact:

Munashe Moyo-Godo on 07795233614
Barbara Nyagomo-Mambo on 07717164590

Launch Message From Zimbabwe Teachers Network

Who we are, What we seek, What we have done so far?

VISION: Zimbabwe Teachers Network is an organisation dedicated to enabling a productive education system in disadvantaged Zimbabwe schools, which through: teacher professional development, provision of essential education needs, and harnessing of human resources through interchange with other educators and students worldwide, produces a capable, innovative and self- reliant future generation.

Objectives:

1. Improve learning and teaching in schools through the provision of resources, and promoting self-reliance to disadvantaged schools in Zimbabwe
2. Restock or create libraries or resource centers in needy schools and communities
3. Twin schools in Zimbabwe to schools in other parts of the world with a view to encouraging the interchange of ideas aimed at improving teaching and learning
4. Provide a platform for the interchange of ideas between educators, non-educators and students
5. Support efforts to improve teaching and learning around the world
6. Promote good practice through the provision of information and on-going professional development to teachers
7. Undertake research on sociological, psychological and philosophical issues affecting teaching and learning in Zimbabwe with a view to improving education.

The not-for-profit organisation has been running for 6 months now and during this time we have:

• Successfully secured training, from Africa University, for the Head of the English Department at a Chinhoyi High 2 School, in Chinhoyi, as a librarian so that the teacher would be equipped with the skill and knowledge to manage the school library more effectively. Zimbabwe Teachers Network will partner with Africa University, to donate much needed library books to the school upon completion of training.
• Sourced for textbooks, library books and resource books which are now waiting to be shipped to the Chinhoyi High 2 School in Chinhoyi.
• Provided a platform, called Zimteachnet, for the interchange of ideas between educators and non-educators around the world. Zimteachnet offers information, teaching resources and a platform for productive debate. Zimteachnet is complemented by a member’s page which has members profiles and email and a facility for online discussions. At the moment Zimteachnet has over 70 members from around the world
• Run a writing competition open to students, ages 15- 19, studying in Zimbabwe institutions. The competition has been running from August and ends in October. Prizes will be given to best entries. This will become an annual competition. The objective of the competition is to encourage: creativity, research, critical thinking, self-esteem and to focus students attention on education.
• Supported a very successful urgent appeal to raise money for a Zimbabwean student to come to the UK for specialist and urgent life-saving surgery. We hope that she will have a speedy recovery and be able to be back in school soon.

Projects in Progress

• Are embarking on a project to one of the classroom blocks at a High School in Zimbabwe, which is currently being used without a roof. Funds raised at the launch are going towards this project
• Collection of books, stationary and computers destined for a Zimbabwe school
• Collection of toys to complement the library and reference books being sent to a library for early years education (grades 1-5)
• A series of fundraising shows supported by renowned Poet and musician, Albert Nyathi, in the month of November 2009

Meet the team

TRUSTEES:

Director Munashe Moyo- Godo: School Teacher, Examiner, Editor, Humanitarian, BA Gen. UZ, 1995; Master of Education, UB, 2004

Secretary Barbara Nyagomo-Mambo: RGN/Specialist Intensive Care Unit, Entrepreneur, Humanitrarian
Awards: Southern African Achievers Award- Business Woman of the Year;
Charity Champion Nominee

Secretary Fungai Godo: Network Engineer
BSc Hons Electrical Engineering, UZ, 1994; Programme in Bisiness Leadership, UNISA, 2002; CCNP, CCDA, MSc Telecomms, University of London

Secretary Stewart Newanji: Project Manager
Banking

Regional Co-ordinators (Zimbabwe):

Tafadzwa Mavhudzi Database Assitant (ICT), Part-time Teacher

Christopher Mlalazi (Deputy Regional Co-ordinators) Author, Project Co-Ordinator, UNISA 2008

Goodwill Ambassadors:

Jusa Dementor (Tawanda Tsibotshiwe): Musician, Music Producer, Mentor
Joint Honours Scheme, Marketing, Broadcast Media, Uni. Derby 2010
Awards: Kora Award Winner;
Southern African Achievers Award Nominee;
BEFFTA Award Nominee;
African Music Awards Nominee

Ashley BSc (Honours) Sports Coaching, Southampton Solent 2011
Miss International Zimbabwe
Miss Malaika

Yours sincerely,

Munashe Moyo-Godo
Director

Thousands of overseas students unable to enter UK

By Rachel Williams and Jessica Shepherd

Universities could lose thousands of high fee-paying overseas students because of new visa system

Thousands of university places could be left unfilled and institutions millions of pounds out of pocket, because high fee-paying international students are being blocked from starting degrees under a new visa system, vice-chancellors warned yesterday.

Universities fear wealthy foreigners, who can pay more than £20,000 a year for degree courses, according to data compiled for the Guardian, will be put off studying in Britain by massive delays in processing visa applications, prompting a funding crisis. In Pakistan alone, a backlog of 14,000 applications has caused havoc for students who had been due to start courses this term.

Universities UK (UUK), the vice-chancellors’ umbrella body, said it was likely that within weeks it would be too late for students to start their courses, and institutions would have to ask them to defer for a year.

Some universities have started filming lectures so students unable to get into the UK can catch up by watching them online if they finally get here. Others have suggested providing reading materials so they can start at home. But it is thought that many will close their doors to delayed entrants around the start of November.

Such a move would cause huge administrative headaches, not just for disappointed students but also for institutions who will then have unexpected spare places this year, but will have to take deferred students next year, putting pressure on 2010 admissions.

Income from foreign students is crucial to UK universities because they face a cap on the number of British and European students they can take. Home and EU students pay tuition fees of up to £3,225 a year but the cost of educating them is much more and is supplemented in part by the government, which therefore limits places for them.

Professor Steve Smith, the president of UUK, which is in talks with the UK Borders Agency to try to speed up the visa process, said: “We are very concerned that significant numbers of students from Pakistan may not receive their visas in time to start their studies in the UK this year.

“Universities UK has consistently emphasised to UKBA that international students only have a limited timeframe within which to apply for a visa and any delays are very serious.

“We know many universities are trying to accommodate late arrivals but there will be cut-off points after which students will not be able to join their programmes. This is obviously devastating for the students and problematic for institutions who have planned for certain student numbers.

“It is of huge academic, cultural and financial benefit to the UK for these highly-talented people to come to our country to be educated. We are in danger of sending out a message that the UK does not welcome international students.”

Overseas students contribute £4bn a year in fees, according to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (Ukcisa). The Higher Education Statistics Agency says more than 8% of the total income of UK universities comes from international students’ fees.

Data gathered for the Guardian by Mike Reddin, a former academic at the London School of Economics, shows that students from outside the European Union starting undergraduate degrees in the sciences at Imperial College London this autumn will pay up to £20,400 each year in fees.

International students on a undergraduate science course will pay an average of £10,781 each year, a 3.7% increase on last year’s fees. For arts courses, the figure is £9,911 – up 4.2%. Dominic Scott, Ukcisa’s chief executive, said the figures showed just how important international student fees were to the UK.

“Without it, universities would have more departments closing, worse infrastructure and less investment in libraries,” he said. “At a time of huge financial pressure, it is the international student income which is enabling universities to invest, expand and survive.”

At the London School of Economics, where a large proportion of undergraduates come from outside the UK and EU, Simeon Underwood, head of admissions policy said significant numbers of students were arriving later than usual, and some had not come at all.

“The sector’s main worry is the damage this will do to the reputation of UK higher education overseas, especially in the Indian sub-continent, and the knock-on effect this will have on university funding,” he said

Increasing opportunities in teaching for BME communities

Dear Sir or Madam,

Leicester College is keen to encourage more members of Black and Minority Ethnic communities to consider teaching, and to recognise the benefits and rewards of this career path. We are writing to you, to enlist your advice as a community leader, on how this can best be achieved.

We would like to invite you to a community leaders’ meeting on Tuesday 27th October from 5.30 – 7.30pm. The event will be in the Granby Suite, Leicester College, Freeman’s Park Campus, Aylestone Rd, LE2 7LW and a light buffet will be available.

The event will highlight the opportunities available in teaching as a career, and promote a subsidised positive action course we are running in the New Year, particularly targeting Black and Minority Ethnic learners. This initiative is run as part of the Aim Higher programme in partnership with Loughborough University, and The Race Equality Council in Leicester is also supporting the event.

We would really appreciate it if you were able to attend the meeting, and to pass on the information to community members who you think might be interested. Please complete the enclosed booking form or email your confirmation as indicated.

Yours sincerely,

Ruth Pickersgill (Diversity Manager)
Leicester College
Freeman’s Park Campus
Aylestone Rd
LE2 7LW
0116 2242 143
rpickersgill@leicestercollege.ac.uk

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