FORMER HOUSE OF COMMONS SPEAKER LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE
SECONDARY SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP SCHEME FOR GIRLS
Former Speaker in the House of Commons Baroness Betty Boothroyd and the
first Asian woman to be given a peerage Baroness Shreela Flather today started
a campaign to enroll 1000 secondary schools across the UK to an initiative
“1000 schools for 1000 girls” set up by The Commonwealth Countries League
Each UK school that enrolls will encourage each of their pupils to raise one
pound a year. A school of 500 pupils will raise £500 a year which will be enough
money to send one or more girls in a commonwealth country such as
Bangladesh, Belize or Ghana to school for a year. By enrolling 1000 schools the
aim is to raise enough funds to put at least 1000 girls in the developing world
through secondary school.
Thirteen UK schools have already expressed a desire to enroll and today’s call is
hoping that 1000 UK secondary schools will sign up by the end of the summer.
The initiative was launched in the House of Commons Jubilee room today by its
Patron Baroness Flather, the first Asian woman to receive a peerage. Former
speaker of the House of Commons Baroness Betty Boothroyd and Nick Boles,
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Schools Minister Nick Gibb- representing the
Minister of State for Education Mr. Michael Gove, both spoke passionately about
how the initiative can change lives and communities in the developing world. A
number of secondary schools from across the UK were in the audience.
“The beauty of this initiative is that it is practical and simple. By each pupil having
to raise just one pound a year there is every chance that the scheme will
“Each girl that is educated by this initiative will act as a catalyst for change in
their community and country.
“Young people in the UK want to help and connect with their peers around the
world and this initiative helps tap into that spirit.”
Ladi Dariya, fundraiser and former beneficiary of the fund, said:
“Burntwood School in Wandsworth raised money to send me to school in Nigeria.
The students that raised money for me changed my life and in turn I was able to
make a huge difference to the people around me. Education is the gift that keeps
Head teacher of Burntwood School in Wandsworth, Helen Dorfman has signed
up the school to this brand new initiative and the school has raised funds and
committed to support two girls in Rwanda for 5 years. Speaking on behalf of the
head teacher, deputy head teacher Charles Harper emphasized Burntwood’s
long standing tradition in supporting charities that make a difference to lives.
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The Commonwealth Countries League (CCL) Education Fund aims are to
promote the education and advancement of women throughout the
Commonwealth as a contributory factor in the alleviation of world poverty.
To date, the Fund has sponsored over 4,000 girls in more than 30 Commonwealth
countries giving them the opportunity to achieve their ambitions, expand their
horizons and take their rightful place in the community. Many have gone on to
careers in medicine, teaching, tourism, telecommunications and accountancy.
Others work in libraries, the legal system, the computer industry and
forestry/agriculture. All have developed skills benefiting themselves, their families
and their communities; many have a status previously denied to them. The work
continues – from Pakistan to Papua New Guinea, Guyana to The Gambia,
Bangladesh to Botswana, The Solomon Islands to St Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago
to Tanzania and Ghana to Grenada.
The CCL has a programme of informative talks and social functions. It organises
the annual Commonwealth Fair in association with the spouses of the
Commonwealth High Commissioners and affiliated organisations to raise funds
for its charitable arm, the CCL Education Fund, and administers an alumnae
association bringing together those sponsored by the fund over the last 40 years
with those currently sponsored.
For further queries please contact Ladi Dariya at
02034 6634874, 07828 436381
Bishop Thomas Grant School, London
South Hampstead High School, London
Ernest Bevin School, London
Lostock Hall Comm.High sch, Preston, Lancashire
Greenwich Community college, London
Lewisham College, London
Winchcombe School, Cheltenham
The Community College at Thornhill, Dewsbury
Culverhay School, Bath
The Heathland School, London
Wheatley CE School, Oxfordshire
Stamford Queen Eleanor School, Stamford
The Walton Girls' High School, Grantham
Priory Ruskin Academy, Grantham
City of London School for Girls
The Charter School, London
Nottingham Girls' High School
St Catherine's, Bramley
Queenswood School, Hatfield
The Tiffin Girls' School, Surrey
Windlesham House School, West Sussex
St. Paul's Girls' School, Hammersmith
Eltham Hill Technology College for Girls, Eltham
Wimbledon High School
Kingston Grammar School
Subiton High school
Putney High School
Sydenham High School
Heathfield School for Girls
Emmanuel College
PHOTOS FROM THE LAUNCH
