BTEG
Black training & enterprise group
New third sector initiative to help improve BME education attainment
The search for new solutions to the problem of education under-achievement amongst BME (black and minority ethnic) pupils has begun in earnest with the first meeting of the National Steering Group of the Centre of Educational Success (CES) held earlier this month, bringing together leaders and educationalists from the voluntary and community, public and private sectors.
The CES was set up by the Black Training & Enterprise Group in 2006 and provides a voice for community education projects supporting pupils from the African, Caribbean, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities.
Membership of the CES Steering Group is drawn from national and local organisations providing services, including extended school provision and supplementary education to children and young people.
The Centre for Educational Success will:
- Serve as a voice and campaign on behalf of BME community education groups that provide extended school services and supplementary educational support.
- Facilitate networking opportunities community education projects and enable them to work in partnership with educational authorities, schools and parents.
Jeremy Crook OBE, Director of BTEG, said:
Educational attainment is a massive social, economic and political issue, especially within the BME communities. Many community education projects do fantastic work to help BME youngsters succeed but this contribution if often not recognised by government. We are determined their experience can help to raise performance in schools but this to happen their voices must be heard in the Department for Education and Skills and at the local level. BTEG is a voice of supplementary education providers.
We want to hear local perspectives on the educational agenda so that we can make a difference in education policy.
Mustafa Malik, Chief Executive of the Pakistan Youth & Community Association, said:
It is important that the education attainment of and young people is kept under the policy makers microscope. Our children and young people must be given every chance to be tomorrow's successful citizens. We all have a duty to ensure their attainment levels are improved to enable them to achieve their full potential and to succeed in life.
End.
Notes to editors:
1. About BTEG
BTEG (the Black Training & Enterprise Group) is a high profile national organisation set up in 1991 to ensure fair access and outcomes for black communities in employment, training and enterprise and to act as a catalyst for enabling black groups and individuals to play an active role in the economic regeneration of local communities through partnership with others.
Its core aim is to achieve measurable improvements for black people nationally, in four key areas:
- Employment - Increasing the employment rates for black people to the national average
- Economic Regeneration - Ensuring black communities contribute to the economic regeneration of their communities
- Education - Raising the attainment levels of black pupils in education to the national average
- Enterprise - Increasing the chances of success and growth for black entrepreneurs and black enterprises
BTEG strives to achieve these core aims through a range of lobbying and support activities. This involves working with black communities. Organisations and businesses involved in regeneration activities as well as with statutory agencies that develop or influence policy in the above areas.
ETHNIC GROUP |
% ACHIEVING 2003 |
% ACHIEVING 2004 |
% ACHIEVING 2005 |
White |
51.3 |
52.3 |
55 |
Indian |
65.2 |
66.6 |
70 |
Pakistani |
41.5 |
45.2 |
48 |
Bangladeshi |
45.5 |
48.4 |
53 |
Chinese |
74.8 |
74.2 |
81 |
Black Caribbean |
32.9 |
35.7 |
42 |
Black African |
40.7 |
43.3 |
48 |
Mixed white/black Caribbean |
- |
- |
44 |
2. Statistics on BME Educational Attainment
3. National Steering Group Members
Member |
Position |
Organisation |
Contact |
Jeremy Crook, OBE |
Director |
Black Training & Enterprise Group |
020 7520 2431 |
Merlyn Francique |
|
National Youth Agency |
0116 242 7408 |
Paul Morrish |
Director |
The Resource Unit for Supplementary Education |
020 7700 8189 |
Decima Francis, MBE |
Director |
Boyhood to Manhood |
020 7022 1967 |
Conrad Sackey |
Chief Operating Officer |
Windsor Fellowship |
020 7613 0373 |
Gloria Dolan |
Her Majesty's Inspector |
Ofsted |
01633 450 235 |
Laura Durrant |
Associate Solicitor |
Herbert Smith LLP |
020 7466 2831 |
Tony Graham |
Operations Manager |
Connexions Nottinghamshire |
0115 912 6611 |
Mustafa Malik |
Chief Executive |
Pakistan Youth & Community Association |
0116 254 8012 |
Victoria Showunmi |
Management Consultant |
VSA Consultancy UK LTD |
0844 88 01 659/ |
date added - 21 February 2007