JET - jobs education & training

Muslim leaders in Derby are getting hands-on insight into modern teaching methods and are meeting leaders from other faiths thanks to a pioneering GOEM-sponsored project.

Mohammed Sharief, Executive Director of Jobs Education and Training (known as ‘JET’), a    training organisation based in Normanton, identified a need to build bridges between Imams, Schools and the Community at large. He recognised the fact that some Muslim children, who   attend Mosques to learn the Koran, face specific challenges in adjusting to school life.

“Children who go to the Mosque in the evening are taught by men and learn by rote in an       environment with strict discipline. They can find it hard to adjust to the school environment where the education and culture is very different and the teaching methods used are less     structured and more interactive.” said Sharief. “We have brought together six of the most    prominent Imams in the city and helped them engage with schools and with other faiths.”

As part of the project, managed by JET and supported by Children & Young People’s Services of Derby City Council, Imams participate in familiarisation visits to schools, watch how professional teachers deliver lessons and shadow teachers. Importantly, the project also offers them training in child protection issues, and gives them an overview on how statutory services such as the   Police and the City Council operate. In order to bring the Imams closer to the children outside the very structured Mosque environment a variety of trips have been arranged including a day out canoeing.

Sharief added: “I had the idea of doing this several years ago but there was never any money to do it. The funding from GOEM has been critical in getting the project off the ground. We now hope to take the project region-wide!”

GOEM financed the project with £5,000 Home Office funding and £4,500 from DFES. The project is thought to be the first of its kind in this country and there are plans to expand the programme to other parts of the region during 2007-2008.

John Perry, from GOEM’s Derbyshire Area Team, said: “This is an innovative piece of work which is helping to break down barriers and to build community cohesion in the city. We are, right now,
examining how we can both extend and widen the project’s aims and ambitions”.

For more information about this contact us now!