Refugees into Teaching – subcontract application process

There are currently 30 overseas-experienced ‘refugee teachers’ registered with the Refugees into Teaching project and living in and around the East Midlands. However, we believe that there are many more based here in need of help. We are therefore keen to increase and consolidate our support for these clients.

Refugees into Teaching (RiT) aims to provide free information, advice, guidance and support to refugees in the UK who wish to become qualified teachers or work in other support staff roles in UK state primary or secondary schools.

RiT is an England-wide project, funded by the Training and Development Agency for schools (TDA), and based at the Refugee Council offices in London and Leeds. The Refugee Council is a human rights charity, independent of government, which works to ensure that refugees are given the protection they need, that they are treated with respect and understanding, and that they have the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as other members of our society.

As RiT doesn’t currently have a presence in the East Midlands, we are unable to deliver as much hands-on support as we would like.

For this reason, we are inviting charitable (or not-for-profit) organisations with a background in supporting adults into training and employment within the region to submit applications for funding to deliver Refugees into Teaching activities in the East Midlands

We are running a commissioning process for an available £20,000 to an organisation(s) that can coordinate some or all of the following activities in support of ‘refugee teachers’ over a 12 month period:

• Voluntary school placements
• Support group workshops
• Mentoring

Please see the attached commissioning documents for more information on how to apply. Closing date for applications 17th September.  Suggested delivery of activities to start on 11th October 2010 and run for 12 months.

If you would like to discuss any elements of this process or your application, please contact Andrew Lawton

RiT Commissioning – Accompanying Notes

RiT Commissioning – East Mids specification

RiT Commissioning – Application Form – FINAL

Refugee Council
Refugees into Teaching – Project manager

240-250 Ferndale Road, London. SW9 8BB, 020 7346 1167

www.refugeesintoteaching.org.uk

Student visa policy to be tightened

A review of student visas is to be held after the number of students coming to the UK rose by one third last year.

Home Office figures show the level of non-EU students coming to Britain increased by more than 75,000 to about 300,000 in the 12 months to March.

Immigration minister Damian Green said a “thorough evaluation” of the system would be held to try to minimise abuse.

Earlier this year the previous government introduced tougher student visa rules, following its own review.

Read more

Unlicensed and outdoors or no school at all

(IRIN) – Simbarashe Choga, 65, a retired teacher, is the local butcher in Epworth, some 20km northeast of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare; he is also the principal of the primary school he runs out of his shop.

“My teachers keep their records and other materials at my butchery, which operates as our head office because, as you can see, there are no buildings here,” Choga told IRIN. “We have a total enrolment of 182 pupils from the first to the seventh grades, and the majority of them learn outside.”

Most of the houses in Epworth have no running water or electricity and the area is best known for its high levels of crime. Choga insisted that his institution had been registered by the local municipal authority, but said most of the schools offering primary and secondary education were unlicensed, and at the ministerial level even his school was not accredited.

Read more

Education aid – is it value for money?

(IRIN) – The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has escaped drastic cuts despite a tough austerity budget, but in a new report the National Audit Office has told the government it should get better value for aid to overseas primary education, and take “a tougher, clearer stance” on costs and performance. Andrew Mitchell, the new development minister, said there would be a spending review.

An expected total spend of around US$1 billion this year – mainly to support national education in developing countries by direct funding, technical assistance, and programmes for textbooks, school buildings and teacher training – makes the UK one of the biggest donors, alongside the Netherlands and the World Bank.

The Audit Office accepted that DFID had successfully helped developing countries increase primary school enrolment and improve educational chances for girls, but said educational quality and attainment were still at very low levels; it had helped deliver quantity, but not quality.

The report quoted studies from Ghana which found that children halfway through primary school were less proficient in maths and English in 2007 than they were in 2005.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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

Next Page »