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Madressahs & Supplementary Schools Project
January 2007
shakeel.hafez@kirklees.gov.uk
Madressahs
- are set up to deliver Islamic education in order to preserve religious, cultural and linguistic identities of children aged 5 to 15
- operate daily in the evenings between 4.30pm - 7.30pm and in some cases at weekends
- are self-financed, voluntary and independent establishments
- are managed, administered and coordinated by dedicated volunteers from the local community
- want Muslim children to become model citizens whilst maintaining their religious and cultural heritage
Following discussions with community representatives on improving child welfare awareness and promoting positive parenting, in 2002 the Madressahs and Supplementary Schools Project was jointly set up by Kirklees Education and Social Services with Quality Protects funding and Shakeel Hafez was appointed as the Supplementary Schools Coordinator. His role involves closer working with madressahs and supplementary schools to raise child welfare awareness; developing child protection policies and good practice; facilitating training for teachers and volunteers; encouraging partnership between mainstream schools and supplementary schools; and promoting positive parenting.
National Award
In 2003 the project won the prestigious Community care Award in the Child Protection category. The judges commented: "A very positive and practical example of work with the community and teachers to protect children and promote positive parenting." The award recognised this unique work as one of the best new initiatives to lead the way in social care. Following extensive coverage in various health and social care journals, statutory and voluntary agencies across the country have contacted Shakeel for information and advice.
Safe Children Sound Learning - Guidance for Madressahs
There are over 50 madressahs and supplementary schools in Kirklees with about 10,000 children in their care. As part of our efforts to provide information, guidance and practical support for management committees and teachers to enable them to fulfil their legal responsibilities towards the children they teach, we have produced 'Safe Children Sound Learning - Guidance for Madressahs', a 56-page working document in English and Urdu. It promotes effective behaviour management of pupils; provides guidance for protection of children and young people; and discusses methods of ensuring health and safety of staff and pupils.
Training for teachers and volunteers
As many teachers and volunteers are unable to communicate in English and often they are not acquainted with child protection law and practice, the project facilitates behaviour management and child protection training for staff. The tremendous enthusiasm with which participants have hitherto attended these sessions, a first time experience for many, has been extremely encouraging.
Positive parenting
Shakeel has also developed a Positive Parenting leaflet which discusses how positive parenting encourages better behaviour and why smacking is harmful to children. It has been Highly Commended by the Association of Social Care Communicators and included in the Behaviour Directory for Parents by the National Family and Parenting Institute.
- An Urdu version of the leaflet is also available. To request copies please Tel: 01484 225385 or Email: comm.ed@kirklees.gov.uk
The Children's Commissioner for England visits Kirklees
The Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Al Aynsley-Green, came to Kirklees in February 2006. He chose to visit Kirklees after hearing about the impressive work that has taken place with Madressahs and supplementary schools.
Further information
For further information please contact Shakeel, who is based in the Child Protection & Review Unit at Westfields. He can be
contacted by e-mail: shakeel.hafez@kirklees.gov.uk or by tel: 01924 482166.
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