Ethnic minority women may miss out on training courses after contract cut
HUNDREDS of female students from ethnic minority backgrounds say they could be forced to give up their education after the summer break.
For the past six years, Community Partnership Learning (CPL), in collaboration with Stoke-on-Trent College, has offered adult courses in community centres and church halls across the city.
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Stoke-on-Trent College
Now, CPL says the college has ended its contract.
The college is reviewing all its community provision, although some courses will continue in Normacot.
It has not said how much money will be saved by the changes.
Many of the 300 to 400 students who have used the community-based scheme each year could now have to attend lessons at either the Cauldon or Burslem campus.
Some women say they will not be able to get to lessons at the college, while others say their husbands will not allow them to be educated in a mixed-sex environment.
Taj Bibby, of CPL, said: "The college is not going to be contracting with us. All the courses will be centralised in a mainstream setting at its campuses.
"It is very sad. We were based around the community, in places like Cobridge, Shelton, Hanley and Longton. Places where people could easily get to.
"Many of the women have large families. They could come to classes in the community because it was within walking distance of their home and the schools their children attend.
"Now, a lot of the students will not continue with their education.
"For some of the women, it was the first time they had got involved in education. They were learning English, or various skills.
"Now we don't know what the future holds."
Tutor Nina Scott-Edeson, who was based in Cobridge, has lost her job as a result of the changes.
She said: "The problem is not just the distance. Some say their husbands will not let them go to the college.
"Most of my students have quite a lot of children, it's a cultural thing.
"They have to juggle quite a lot and they won't have the time to get to a college which isn't so close to where they live."
Student Rosina Aamir, aged 30, of Sneyd Green, has been studying sewing and textiles at Cobridge.
The mother-of-three said: "My husband won't let me go to the college.
"At Cobridge, the courses are excellent and the school is just round the corner.
"I have learned so much, it's unbelievable. It has changed my way of thinking."
Mother-of-five Beena Islam, aged 43, from Burslem, said: "It is going to affect us a lot more than people think.
"Not everyone has got transport. CPL was based in the community and we are going to lose that community."
Fatema Jannat Luthfa, aged 24, said: "I live in Hanley and my classes are in Cobridge.
"If it is moved to Stoke-on-Trent College, it is not very far, but it is for me because I will have to walk.
"I'm not sure if I will be able to go."
Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello said: "I have been in discussions with the college for a couple of months and working very closely with CPL to try to make sure we have good provision of college structures where the learners need them.
"It is not about what works for a college."
Stoke-on-Trent College principal Sarah Robinson, pictured, said: "We are in the process of reviewing our provision in the community and we intend to deliver community learning out of Normacot."
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by Warren, Meir
Thursday, July 15 2010, 10:55PM
“nurse, newcastle: "non of your allegations are backed up by any facts"
They are facts it's just that they're facts which you don't want to hear.
"[Phil Woolas] A government minister has warned that inbreeding among immigrants is causing a surge in birth defects."
"The increase in the UK population [62 million] has been driven by high levels of immigration, and high birth rate within immigrant groups" -
I highly doubt that "white teenage pregnancies" contributed to this as you naively stated.
You call THAT racism? What's wrong with you people?”
by 1manmission, hanley
Wednesday, July 14 2010, 2:52AM
“mickey boy, more rubbish from youself.
read an interesting study by r bivvins (sp?) around the issue of ricketts. this focussed on in depth studies and highlights some very interesting points
ricketts was prevalent amongst white british people in the early 19th century
cases of ricketts were found in india, but ricketts was known as the 'british disease'
ricketts was cured through dietary means
when immigrants arrived en mass in the 60's and 70's ricketts became an issue again but in minorities
the nhs ignored this initially but were shamed into looking into it by the criticism from other countries (inc europe).
the main study centres were in manchester and london
all studies again pointed to diet, eg no calcium or vitamin d in chappatti flour. foods not readily available (as they are now)
the sun factor was also cosidered but there was a problem with this theory
this was affecting minorities as a whole not just the small percentage who covered
and it has since become common knowledge that this 'lack of sunshine if you cover' was actually an assimilation strategy and hence taken with a pinch of salt
the countries were majority of women cover , iran, saudi arabia etc, ricketts not an issue because the diet is excellent
sorry to burst your bubble. because thats what you do talk bubbles”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Monday, July 12 2010, 11:48AM
“(quote) '.....next thing you know those in burkhas will be concerned you are not getting enough vitamin d. lol
1manmission, hanley
Whether you use the pseudonym one man mission or burka northwood -it must be becoming evident to any one who has been bothered to follow this thread and current spat between you and I -that you are not as serious about your community or plight of its children as one would expect, given the diatribes conducted in past threads.
Rickets -a softening of the bones, a disease affecting young children, is has serious implications for later adult life.
The disease, prevalent in the Asian Communities of the UK is giving the Health Authorities of this country a headache in how best to tackle it -given the entrenched cultural dogma associated with those Communities.
Britain, as you know, suffers from a lack of sunlight compared to the sub-continent from which these Communities originate. This means that the wearing of such traditional attire is very detrimental to the well being of our Asian children in the regard of the disease -Rickets.
I find it in bad taste for you to make jokes at their expense, when instead you should be joining with me and other concerned uk citizens in highlighting the problem and getting the parents and wider Asian community Leaders to 'tackle the problem' head on.
Coming from an altogether different gene-pool, fair skinned, my problem with sunlight is the opposite. I have plenty of vitamin D -fair skin absorbs it much more readily.
It's skin cancer that I have to protect against. I have to cover up and hide from the sun. Imagine if I had a religion who insisted that my children and grandchildren should expose themselves to the sun as much as possible -for the sake of the Religion -they would have to risk skin cancer... You and everyone else would be appalled, wouldn't you.
Can't you see that. There's time for joking and there's a time when a joke can go sour.
Mickey.”
by 1manmission, hanley
Monday, July 12 2010, 5:36AM
“LOL, i see people are having a go at you from all angles there micky boy
you really need to get a life, we had some lovely weather over the weekend and while i took full advantage i see you seem to have stayed behind your keyboard
next thing you know those in burkhas will be concerned you are not getting enough vitamin d. lol”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Sunday, July 11 2010, 8:10PM
“Mick, are you and Alan Cookman one and the same? -Syd.
Sshh! Not a word. I'm his driver -engaged when he and herself go romping round the restaurants stuffing themselves silly at your expense -that's if you buy the paper.
One of the perks is that he persuades them to give him and herself large portions of everything -and although he carries a bit of excess and could normally mop up the extras -he's good enough to get them to sort out a good doggie-bag for me.
But of course you're almost right -indeed he does give me tips on the 'wind-up' process' But he did say the other day from what he sees (he's another of my avid readers), that I'm now approaching his high standard of 'annoying folk'.
I think you are the most intuitive of all the posters on this site. Well spotted Syd.”