12:10pm Friday 23rd October 2009
A top politician went back to school to learn about a new education scheme in Keighley.
Kris Hopkins learned a few words of Urdu during his visit to the Abu Zahra Foundation.
Cllr Hopkins, the leader of Bradford Council, joined a class at the Open Madrasah Network.
The network is a programme of after-school GCSE classes designed to increase education grades across the district.
Year 10 and 11 students are receiving two hours a week of GCSE Urdu, Arabic and Religious Education in local madaaris – religious schools.
Eight classes are running for 40 weeks at four madaaris across Bradford.
Organisers say the classes spearhead a comprehensive package of support designed to improve educational skills and employment.
The Network is delivered by ATL in partnership with Edu-cation Bradford, Bradford Council and several organisations in the Asian community.
Cllr Hopkins said: “Education is the most important factor in determining our district’s welfare, prosperity, health and happiness. Offering students extra classes in community settings like madaaris shows we are going the extra mile when it comes to improving grades.”
Khalid Hussain, head of education from the Abu Zahra Foundation, said: “We are keen to do everything we can to ensure our young people’s wellbeing.
“Madaaris are perfectly placed to provide the extra support needed to improve education, skills and employment.”
Arshad Javed, director of ATL, said the “pioneering” project had received strong support.
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