Press Release - 8 September 2006

Bradford's Asian children rewarded for achievement in literacy skills

Asian children from schools across Bradford will be rewarded at a prize-giving ceremony this Saturday 9 September 2006 for improving their literacy skills.

The children - aged 5-11 years-old - have all taken part in an education initiative called Improving Performance of Asian Children through Supplementary Schools (IMPACTSS) which has been organised by Bradford-based national charity, QED-UK.

The initiative aims to improve and develop core skills in literacy skills for children who attend three of the city’s Madrassas - or supplementary schools.

Saturday's prize-giving ceremony takes place from 2-5pm at the Grange Interlink Community Centre in Horton Grange, Bradford. The ceremony will see 60 boys and girls receive a certificate of attendance for the year long course and a selection of top students will be awarded for their achievements in Good Citizenship. An award will also be made for the Madrassa with the best overall results.

The prizes will be awarded at the ceremony by:

• IMPACTSS co-ordinator - Naseer Baig
• IMPACTSS education advisor - Mohammed Arshad
• Chair of IMPACTSS advisory board - Mohammed Ayyaz

The children’s work will also be on display at the Community Centre.

IMPACTSS co-ordinator, Naseer Baig, says: "We are really pleased that so many children have successfully completed the IMPACTSS course. It is important to give children the best start in life and this project plays a vital role in giving Asian children a helping hand to speak, read and write good English and know what it takes to be a good citizen. With this the children stand a better chance of succeeding in mainstream schools." As well as the participating children, their parents and teachers from local mainstream schools have been invited to the prize giving.

IMPACTSS has been running for three years and has helped over 180 Asian children from the city. It has been funded by the BBC’s Children in Need appeal.

In order for the IMPCTSS project to continue, QED-UK is looking for potential sponsors of the project to come forward.

To offer funding or sponsorship for the IMPACTSS programme, contact QED-UK's chief executive, Dr Mohammed Ali OBE by telephoning 01274 483267 or emailing m.ali@qed-uk.org.

For media enquiries contact Simon Collister at Cicada PR by telephoning 01423 567111 or 07971 612857 (out-of-hours). Alternatively, email simon@cicada-pr.com