Volume 1 Issue 8
How Big is the Big Society? Canary Wharf Supplementary School is facing the axe and the Big Society appears nowhere to be seen. Education, Education, Education was the mantra of Mr Blair, when he came into power in 1997; education would be the key to closing the gap between the richest and poorest in our society and bringing about levels of upward social mobility. Arguably, we have gone a long way into achieving this, alas, there is still a long way to go, particularly for the average child living in a less than average es-
tate in Tower Hamlets, a borough where educational attainment is low and income inequality is vast. A striking and indeed unfortunate fact is that Tower Hamlets has the highest rate of child poverty in London. It is the second most deprived borough in London and is the third most deprived borough nationally. And 79 percent of children come from low income families. Education for our city‟s under-achieving children is the difference between living a life on the dole or in a low paid job and living in a
council estate passing down the curse of poverty into future generations and being a working professional enjoying some of the finer things that our city has to offer. Canary Wharf Supplementary School (CWSS) aims to address some of the inequalities faced by the many children in some of our most deprived boroughs. The school is a grassroots organisation, led entirely by volunteers from all ethnic and religious backgrounds and ranging from city professionals to local businessmen. It is open to those of all faiths and none and is targeted at 11-16 year olds. CWSS gives additional support for students in core subjects of English, Maths and Science. Although the school does not teach Islam as a subject, the school is founded and operates on traditional Islamic principles of altruism, goodwill and civic participation. The model for the school relies on young professionals from the local area providing educational support as well as acting as role models and mentors for young students who are feeling disaffected and struggling with their studies. Cont. p13
8th O ctober 2010
The Muslim Seeker We are looking for budding journalists. We are also looking for sponsors to help us establish this community newsletter. If you can contribute to the paper, please do get in contact with us: Info.nmo@gmail.com
Inside this issue:
Big Society
1
Adverts
2-9
The 3 H’s
10
World Habitat Day 12 Ebrahim College
18
Nasheeds
19
NM Directory 19-20 HMC Directory 21-22 Sports
23-24
Special points of interest
Weekly Women Classes Free Arabic Classes Muslim Hands Parachute Jump UEL FReshers Dinner Cambridge Islamic Sciences Seminars Qur’an Study Group Middlesex Uni Welcome Dinner