Volunteer teachers make the grade at ceremony

VOLUNTEER TEACHERS, Imams and faith leaders in Bradford are being awarded new nationallyrecognised teaching qualifications at a ceremony tonight after taking part in a ground-breaking initiative aimed at improving education.

More than 20 teachers from the district’s supplementary schools and the city’s Interfaith Education Centre have completed a BTEC Level three qualification in education and training through the new programme, which was run by Bradford Council in partnership with Bradford College.

The aim of the scheme was to improve teaching skills in supplementary schools and to provide a route to a formal qualification.

Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills, Coun Imran Khan, said: “This is really pleasing that so many people have gained this recognition.

“Many of the teachers who give their time voluntarily in supplementary schools do not have teaching qualifications recognised in the UK.

“This course was developed to equip teachers within supplementary schools to deliver their lessons more effectively. It is hoped that participants will go on to gain a full teaching qualification.”

Geraldine Cooper, the interim head of diversity and cohesion at Bradford Council, added: “I am delighted that the faith tutors from the Interfaith Education Centre have been given the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification.

“They studied alongside their colleagues from supplementary schools and I hope that this is the beginning of a greater collaboration between the Interfaith Education Centre, which is part of the council’s diversity and cohesion service, and supplementary schools.”

At tonight’s ceremony at City Hall, there will also be a presentation of a posthumous award to Rajinder Singh Panesar, Sikh faith leader at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, in Bradford, who died during the course.

His family will award on his behalf. collect the