QED-UK - helping to improve the circumstances of disadvantaged South Asian communities in the UK QED-UK - helping to improve the circumstances of disadvantaged South Asian communities in the UK QED-UK - helping to improve the circumstances of disadvantaged South Asian communities in the UK
QED-UK - helping to improve the circumstances of disadvantaged South Asian communities in the UK

The Madrassa Children's Literacy Project

This project is being funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It relates to an area of activity which QED-UK has been keen to develop for some time but has hitherto not been able to obtain funding. We are therefore particularly pleased that DCSF has now agreed to lend its support.

Ethnic minority pupils attend supplementary schools (Madrassas) for up to 10 hours a week for religious education but, hitherto, there has been no dialogue between Madrassas and mainstream schools, governors, staff, parents and children. With the funding it has now received, QED-UK will initiate that dialogue and begin to build bridges and foster understanding between teachers, governors, parents and children from different communities, reducing the fear and distrust which currently exists.






Specifically, we are seeking to develop new ways of joint working across three Regions which will benefit pupils, families and wider society. The outcomes of the project will include:

  • Improved levels of literacy and overall educational attainment for 2,250 ethnic minority pupils.

  • Stronger links between 45 Madrassas and 145 mainstream primary schools and improved understanding and ways of joint working for the benefit of pupils.

  • Improved capacity of faith based Madrassas to contribute to the aims and objectives of mainstream education.

  • Improved capacity of mainstream schools, their governors and staff, to better understand and work with Madrassas to improve the educational attainment of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds.

  • Stronger, more tolerant communities with ethnic minority parents contributing more to the education of their children and improving their chances in life including their economic well being.

  • Better understanding between different faith based schools and greater capacity to work collaboratively to improve the educational and economic wellbeing of ethnic minority communities.

  • Models of good practice and practical materials available for wider dissemination and greater impact.

For more information contact Naseer Baig, Madrassa Literacy Project Coordinator, at Quest House, 243 Manningham Lane, Bradford BD8 7ER. Telephone: 01274 483267,email n.baig@qed-uk.org.
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