On 8^th December 2006, Aayatiin Foundation For Relief And Development (AFFORD) in collaboration with London Somali Development Partnership (LSDP), an umbrella organisation, Clapham Park Project (NDC) and London borough of Lambeth organised the 2nd Somali children and young people's forum at Richard Atkins primary school as a part of every child matters. The main objective of the forum was to bring together Somali community and key stakeholders to draw an action plan aimed at improving the educational achievement of Somali children.

After a welcoming speech of Dr. M. G .Hassan, the proceedings started with presentations of keynote speakers including Rt. Hon. Keith Hill (MP), Cllr Jackie Meldrum (Deputy Leader Of London Borough of Lambeth), Phyllis Dunipace (Executive Director, Children And Young People’s Service, London Borough Of Lambeth), Feyisa Demie (Head, Research and Statistics, London Borough Of Lambeth), Gary Phillips (Head Teacher, Lilian Baylis Technology School) And Abdirahman Ibrahim (London Somali Development Partnership-LSDP).

Keynote speeches ranged from research findings on attainment of Somali children in lambeth, addressing and tackling under-attainment of Somali children and young people, policies on supporting newly arrived communities to youth experiences on British education system.

Rt. Hon. Keith Hill (MP), Valerie Showcross (Government Of London Authority Assembly Member), Cllr Jackie Meldrum (Deputy Leader, London Borough Of Lambeth), Feyisa Demie (Research And Statistics, London Borough Of Lambeth), Valerie Patterson (Community Education Zone, Clapham Park Project, NDC), Supt Paul Wilson (Brixton Police Station), Anita Wright (Head Teacher, Woodmanstarne Primary School), And Devon Hanson (Deputy Head, Stockwell Park Secondary school) took part the final part of the programme: the way forward.

Lambeth is one of the most diverse boroughs in London. 38% of lambeth population is black and ethnic minority. There is no official figure number of Somalis who either live or work in lambeth, however almost one thousand Somali children learn in lambeth schools. In January 2006, the number of Somali children in Richard Atkins primary school, the host of the conference, alone was over 10%.

The conference brought together well over 200 participants including community leaders, parents, head & assistant teachers, EMAT, extended school coordinators and other key stakeholders. Mr Demie has congratulated the community leaders for their courage to ride on the challenges to address the under-achievement issues.

There are various reasons for the underachievement of Somali children and young people. Somali community is relatively a newly arrived community with a background of refugees and asylum seekers following the devastating civil war which led them escape their own country.

Due to the effects of civil war, the most of the children were not able to access decent educational services. Moreover, there are basic differences between British and Somali education systems. The later, the basic principles are grading the learners according to their marks in exams. Settlement in Britain and adopting British education system poses a taught challenging experience for the children. Many of the pupils are struggling and trying to make sense of the new situation. The other problems include switching languages and cultures. They also face other problems such as bullying and racist mocking in school classrooms and playgrounds.

Ibrahim from London Somali Development Partnership (LSDP) has argued the implications that Somalis are not officially recognised as a separate ethnic group like Indians, Pakistanis, or Bangladeshis. Rather, they form a part of a larger African umbrella which treats black African groups as homogenous, although there is a distinct performance difference between Somali and other west African decent.

For more information about Somali education forum, kindly contact Dr Hassan, Aayatiin Foundation, 1c New Park Road, Brixton Hill,  London SW2 4DU Tel: 020 8674 8599 (O) 079 0329 8876 Email:  admin@aayatiin.org.

Rt. Hon. Keith Hill (Streatham MP)

Valerie Showcross (Government Of London Authority Assembly Member)

Panel- Left to Right: Ms Anita Wright (Head Teacher, Woodmanstarne Primary School), Ms Valerie Patterson (Clapham Park Project, NDC), Cllr Jackie Meldrum (Deputy Leader, London Borough of Lambeth), Ms Valerie Showcross (Government of London Authority Assembly Member), Supt Paul Wilson (Brixton Police Station), Mr Feyisa Demie (Head, Research and Statistics, London Borough of Lambeth) and Rt. Hon. Keith Hill (MP)

Participants of 2nd Somali Children and Young People's Conference, 8th Dec. 07.