Report Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2006

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Unlocking our childrens potential SPIRITUAL and African-centred education would “unlock the genius� in black children, a conference has heard.








Andrew Mohammad: concern for our children.

The event, called “Stop Blaming the Children�, focussed on how black parents and teachers can work together to overcome racism in the school system.

A packed chamber at Croydon town hall, in south London, on 14th October, heard speakers including Professor Gus John and Andrew Mohammad, author of the book Free Your Mind.

The conference concluded that despite many challenges, such as exam under-achievement, exclusions and negative portrayal in the media, there was an array of success stories.

One of the organisers, Anne-Marie Morris Daley, said it was “the first time this event presented some real strategic ways forward that left one feeling, ‘at last a real plan with good workable ideas as the way forward’�.


[align=center]constructive [/align]
Organisers hope to share good practice through a CD ROM which is being developed, with the aim of not reinventing the wheel and focus on what has already been proven to work.







Afryea Adofo, a law student, speaking at the conference

Francesca Muhammad, chair of LIFT, said: ‘From sieving through the evaluation forms it is clear to see that the conference was very successful, where our educationalists came together for one purpose and aim to help improve the educational outcomes of our children through constructive action.

‘It was also indicated from all the speakers that a spiritual and African-centred approach is missing from the current national curriculum which would ignite and release the potential genius in our children.’

Another member of the organising committee, Odartei Muhammad, added: ‘I believe the conference introduced new dimensions for many of the attendees with regard to the education of the Black child.

‘These centrally were a consideration of the cultural background of the child, and the importance of a two-way flow of respect in the learning environment, i.e. educator to student and visa versa.’
For more information log on to: http://www.liftcommunity.org.uk/niec

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[align=center]Published by the 1990 Trust [/align]
[align=center]http://www.blink.org.uk/print.asp?key=13532[/align]