Bangladesh school for city's absent pupils

Deborah Haile

April 09, 2004

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MANCHESTER education bosses are planning to build a new school - in Bangladesh.

Large numbers of pupils miss weeks of schooling each year because their parents take them to the family homeland.

Now Manchester wants to tackle the issue by setting up a school abroad - at a cost of about £100,000 a year.

The Bangladesh school, expected to be up and running within 12 months, could be followed by others across the world in areas where Manchester children visit in significant numbers.

Youngsters would have to attend every day, which could count towards their attendance record. Lessons would be in line with the National Curriculum, taking advantage of experiences available in the host country.

A class could vary from two to 30, depending on how many people were visiting at the time.

The school will be in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, 5,000 miles from Manchester but chosen because of its strong links with the city.

Heritage

Head teachers have welcomed the plans, but Tory MP Graham Brady has condemned "preferential treatment" to one group of children.

Manchester's chief education officer, Mick Waters, said: "People want their children to see their heritage and we should respect that, because we want children to value where their families come from. But we also want them to value their education.

"These trips can sometimes disrupt schooling and can create a hiccup in learning, so when they come back, they have missed lessons and may be out of the routine of learning.

"We need to think of ways to recognise the benefits of visiting another country, at the same time as the importance of learning.

"If children can reach the schools relatively easily, they can turn up and register each day. If it is too far, they could go once or twice a week and then complete work at home."

In the past, attempts have been made to deter families from taking children out of school for trips overseas.

But despite warnings from education officials and campaigns stressing the importance of attending school, the absences have continued.

Reality

Ian Fenn, head teacher at Burnage High School – which has a significant number of Bangladeshi pupils – discourages extended trips, but believes the scheme could keep youngsters on track with their studies.

Coun Jeff Smith, Manchester’s executive member for education said: “We are not encouraging people to take their children away in during term time, but we are dealing with the reality that parents do this.

“Early estimates say it could cost up to £100,000 and I think this may be a price worth paying.”

Plans are at an early stage and it has not yet been decided whether all, some or none of the money will come from the local education authority.

Joe Langley, of the teaching union NASUWT, said: “This sounds like a great idea, but it is very ambitious.”

But Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said: “It is very worrying if the local authority is using taxpayers’ money to provide preferential treatment for one group of children over another.

“All children should be expected to attend school during the compulsory school year regardless of their family or ethnic background.

“There may be families who would wish to take their children to enjoy the sunshine in Spain or Tenerife for three months – and of the year. it would be absurd to expect special facilities for them to do that.”

Should education bosses be spending money on this school?

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Charles Burrows, Tameside. (09/04/2004 at 12:32)

Just a moment isn't Bangladesh a big country, just how far are these 2 to 50 pupils expected to t travel? Why not open schools in towns about 10 miles apart , and while they are at it, if the families can afford to take their children out of the country for up to three months and therefore not contributing to British life how about the Bangladeshi government paying for it.

Jonny, Altrincham (09/04/2004 at 12:50)

What a ridiculous waste of money. Parents should be obliged to get their childeren to school regardless of religion/demographics. What next - a prep school in Benidorm for irresponsible parent's children ?

Joe Bradshaw, Radcliffe (09/04/2004 at 13:16)

Words fail me, it just shows the lunatic asylum of a country we live in.

Steve, Manchester (09/04/2004 at 13:16)

This should be an April fool! I expect that they are also going to build schools in Corfu too

BRIAN PROBYN, CANADA (09/04/2004 at 13:35)

I HAVE NEVER HERD OF ANY-
THING SO STUPID AND WASTFULL
NEXT THING YOUWILL BE SENDING TEACHERS
TO TEACH THEM, TREAT THEM
THE SAME AS ALL THE OTHER
KIDS PARENTS FINE THEM,

Ace Riley, manchester (09/04/2004 at 13:35)

What a joke in britain we are suffering lack of funds in our education system and we are going to spend B#100,000 on a school for the minority ?OUR country is going to the dogs we bend over backwards to help other people but we get nothing in return .no wonder the bnp party are getting stronger .It needs to be strong to sort all the mess we are in .The next thing we will know is we will have to build hospitals for these people because they dont speak hurdu ..Resident who has had enough .....

Jim, Didsbury (09/04/2004 at 13:37)

Is it April Fools day again?

Disgusted, Gtr. Manchester (09/04/2004 at 13:54)

What a waste of money! Tell me, will they set these schools up in Ireland and Wales for those British students whoe's families originate from those countries like my family does? No, I thought not. Why do we constantly pander to ethnic minorities. Fine them! They should take the children during the 6 week holidays. There are no "if's" or "but's" about it! My family had to. It's absolutely disgraceful.

k young, Durham (09/04/2004 at 14:18)

why not build them houses as well and let them stay there?
This has to be the last straw.
More votes for the BNP me thinks.

Steve, Atlanta, Ga (09/04/2004 at 15:05)

LOL, what a joke. These people should take their holidays in the Summer like everybody else has to.
You couldn't make it up.
What is England coming to, its a laughing stock.

Steve Hunt, Perth,Australia (09/04/2004 at 15:56)

can't believe this,thought it was a joke at first(being April)if parents want to take their children out of school from Manchester and go where ever around the globe for whatever reason then why not make a web site available to them with up to date lessons and tests to be completed and their teachers to mark as if they were in class. this would be more sensible and equitable than spending all that money on one set of students from one region in one country, would be more than a tad angry if I was still a Manchester ratepayer

jerome martyr, manchester (09/04/2004 at 17:11)

I think this is a rediculous idea and will only act to fuel the rage people.I do not understand how schools in some rural areas in england are closing down and they are going to build and run a school in bangladesh all because a certain set of people can not wait for the school hollidays to go and choose a husband or wife, I mean on holliday in bangladesh.Iam from barbados and i going to get all the people from barbados deccent to take their kids on holliday in the school time so we can get the tax payers of england to build and run a shool in barbados ,I guess I would not be asking to much if I ask them to pay for my flight as well being they are so accomodating

Angry, Manchester (09/04/2004 at 17:25)

Just typical. Native english children are punished if their parents take them out of school in term time. Bangladeshi's are now encouraged to do it and our education spineless chiefs condone it in the name of 'let's not anger the minorities'. Everybody should be treated the same and if they are taken out of school in term time, they don't graduate, tough luck.

Linda Redfern, manchester (09/04/2004 at 17:36)

This silly idea will create more ill feeling amongst the different nationalities.Lots of people will want to take their kids out of the country for extended holidays, and if this idea goes ahead i would imagine chaos will be the order of the day.How will a school be able to say no to anyone ever again,and if they do perhaps the parents could take them to court and claim racial discrimination.!! and why not indeed.

Shane Mcqueen, Anguilla West Indies. (09/04/2004 at 17:54)

I have never heard any thing so disgusting in my life, Has the city council gone mad?

steve, longsight, manchester (09/04/2004 at 18:24)

This proposal will drive another wedge between the people of manchester who live together in a peacefull multicultural society, education is everyones right in this country but scarce resources should not be moved to other country's to suit one section of the community, I remember not long ago reading in the papers of a child who lived in manchester but the childs parents wanted he/she to go to a school run by another LEA, and was refused because there was not enough money for it. I also agree with the comment about schools in spain or wherever, will my children be offered schooling in gran canaria when we go there on holiday I doubt it very much. This is similar to the woman police officer who is sueing the police for racisim using the black and asian association surely that is racist in itself having a seperate association for blacks and asians, i'm sure a white's only association would not be allowed and rightly so. I thought the looney left had gone for good, but it seems they are back with all there old divisive ideas. If there is money to spend it must be spent on all the children of manchester wether they are black or white. Let us all live together and go to school together. Although this proposal is no doubt well meant it is stupid as it will cause resentment in the wider community.

Dan, Moston (09/04/2004 at 18:44)

Absolute lunacy. Are we going to see schools built in the Costas as well then? No, thought not.

keith, Wythenshawe,Manchester (09/04/2004 at 18:56)

Is this a late April Fools joke?
What a ridiculous idea.
Our money needs spending on improved education services here.
WHAT ON EARTH NEXT????

P. Sullivan, Canada (09/04/2004 at 19:05)

would the Manchester education authorities not be better engaged in fining parents for taking their children out of school for lengthy periods of time, are we to build a school in America for British kids so they can go to Disneyworld during term time.

LOS, hale (09/04/2004 at 20:54)

i cannot believe the decision to build a school somewhere else in the world . For pupils so they can still receive education whilst on a holiday because thats what it more than likely will be . First of all the goverment cannot fund half the schools in this country for the people who live in it so they come up with this idea ??
Well dear Mr Labour i have had enough of your crap suggestions and when on poling day you come around asking and promising us all the good things in life you can stick them right up your Gaffas rear backyard with an EX Labour voting person looking elsewhere Bye Bye Labour

Sue, Salford (09/04/2004 at 21:17)

So now the people of Manchester are expected to pay for a school in Bangladesh for children who 'occasionally' live in this country.

I hope that following the strict implementation of the truancy regulations so recently enforced by this Government that the parents of these children will be prosecuted.

I would suggest that Ian Fenn, Head Teacher at Burnage High School, Joe Langley of the NASWUT union and Councillor Jeff Smith, Manchester's executive member for education find new jobs - because they're certainly not suited to the ones they currently do. Maybe they can find something slightly better paid and voluntarily pay the B#100,000 per year to run this school.

Talk about PC gone mad - these people need taking to the mental hospital at Prestwich and committing!

My family likes going to Florida - would they like to open a school over there for all the Mancunian families that like spending time out there? Or what about the Balearics, 'cos guys if you set this school up, then some of us will be talking legal action against you on racial grounds.

Sarah, london (09/04/2004 at 21:44)

No I thinks its a hideously bad idea and a terrible waste of money. This money should be spent on schools in the UK! The person who though of this idea should be ashamed of themselves/s. If a parent chooses to take a child from school, for three months and their child's education suffers, it's the parent's fault. Education is more important than a holiday. I thought you could only go in term-time only? Oh, but we allowed to bend the rules for certain people aren't we? Before anyone comes back with that the UK's holiday doesn't fall in with other Religions etc I'm sorry but that's tough, why should this county change? if you come here you abide by English ways of life. Has anybody heard the saying 'when in Rome do as the Romans do?'

gary hough, new moston,Manchester (09/04/2004 at 22:06)

No they shouldn't waste tax payers money on this scheme. If the parents aren't responsible enough regarding their childrens education why should we pander to them!

A Smith, North Manchester (09/04/2004 at 23:45)

The parents taking children out of school during term time for family holidays in Bangladesh should be fined, period. Many of us would love to have 4 weeks in Spain when the prices are much cheaper, i.e. during term time. Does this mean Manchester Council will also build schools in Lanzarote, Teneriffe, Gran Canaria etc.... . It appears the 'Do Gooders' are at it again ! Enough is Enough.

John Doll, NY, USA (10/04/2004 at 00:00)

This is an excellent idea. I wish others such as USA would follow similar path, allowing students to experience their heritage and continue their education. MANCHESTER authority should be applauded for taking this step.

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