Somali pupils succeed in new homework club

A HOMEWORK club for Somali children in Greater Manchester is helping hundreds of pupils succeed in their GCSEs.

The club in Bolton is run in partnership with the town’s university and was set up in response to figures showing that only 40% of children from the Horn of Africa, including Somalians, achieve A-C grades at GCSE.

The success of the club run by Bolton Solidarity Community Association has seen that figure rise to 60% in just a matter of years. The club is for young people aged between six and 16.

BSCA supports families from new and emerging communities such as Somali, Eritreans, Ethiopians and others from the

Horn of Africa. The homework club provides session that focuses on three core areas; English, Maths and Science (KS1 up to GCSE). It runs after school during the week and at weekends.

According to feedback from parents, the homework club has improved the confidence of the young people involved.

Organiser Mohamed Jama Duale said: “We have seen some of the students, who achieved brilliant GCSE grades. The homework club has improved the relations and communication between parents, schools and the homework club itself.”

For more information on the club, ring 01204 334004

RESIDENTS of Moss Side held a dinner event in support of Mahadi Sharif, the Labour candidate for the ward of Moss Side, at the Aljamhuriyah restaurant, which was attended by lots of young people.

Ali Mohamed, one of the organisers of the meeting, reminded the attendees of their civic duties to participate in the politics of the country and to contribute to the development of their communities.

Mr Ali said: “If you, the youth do not become fully engaged in the social and political activities of the country, I don’t know who else will do that for you.

“You have to be active member of our communities and the society as whole so that we can achieve our goal which is prosperous Moss Side and prosperous Britain.”

Mr Mahadi Sharif, who also spoke at the meeting, thanked the organisers and those attending the event, saying: “If I am elected I will serve for the communities of Moss Side as equal and I promise that I will work all year round and will be a voice for all Moss Side residents.”

The event ended with a lively atmosphere and some of the young people whom SASCA spoke to expressed their delight at attending:

“It is sometimes good to remind ourselves our respon- sibility as citizens of this country be active members of our society.”