Press Release - 19 March 2004

QED-UK campaigns for increasing Asian parental involvement in the education
of their children

More than one hundred Asian parents attended the Bradford launch of QED-UK's campaign for increasing the quality and quantity of Asian parental involvement in education of their children at the Carlisle Business, Bradford on 18th March. This campaign is targeting parents of Pakistani origin.

This was the 3rd in a series of events held in Yorkshire region. Events held in Rotherham and Doncaster attracted more than 150 Asian parents. Commenting on the launch the Rotherham event Mrs Qureshi MBE, Chair of APWA (All Pakistani Women's Association) said 'We are delighted to be working with QED-UK in South Yorkshire to get these important messages across in the South Asian communities, we hope to build on the foundation that QED-UK has laid down to work with the grassroots community groups across the region to reach parents'.

The campaign, supported by the Department for Education and Skills, is based around a short video made in Urdu targeting parents who cannot read or write. The video features the educational system in the UK, the role of parents and the importance of communicating with children and schools. The video was well received and many participants wanted copies to show to other parents.

Speakers at the Bradford event chaired by Asif Khan on behalf of QED-UK included: Ishtiaq Ahmed, general secretary of Council for Mosques, M A Salaam. Director of Pakistan Community Centre Association, Mustafa Azmi, Head of Year Ten at Belle Vue Boys School and Mrs Mirza, Community Liaison Officer and Hal Michaels Assistant Head of Belle Vue Girls School. The presentations were highly valued and the speakers gave practical examples of how parents can support their children.

Dr Mohammed Ali, OBE, Chief Executive of QED-UK said 'After a successful campaign in Bradford over a number of years, we are sharing the best practice of working with south Asian communities across the Yorkshire region by working with other community organisations that have strong community links. I believe this campaign will make a tremendous contribution to improving the educational performance of the disadvantaged children in our schools'.

The next event will be held in Huddersfield on 30th March.

For further details about the event please contact Mohammed Ali, OBE on 01274 483267