School system and Somali Children

[ParadigmShift]

For those of you who have children or who have gone through the education system - how much time you/your parent spend in finding a good school and achieving quality education. I have noticed a large number of Somali parents just not bothered about their children education. In order to achieve social mobility, it would make sense to invest in your child's future. But some parents see the education system as a place to put children for a large part of the day. When these children come around from school, it’s also a burden on the parents because they have been disturbed from their activities. The children are either given a games console, internet or television (without any supervision of their contents) then its time for sleep. Same route the next day. Except when its weekends and these days are used solely for internet, games (including outdoor), television and DVDs.

There are of course exceptions to this but this is an issue of concern that needs to be addressed.

[eyes-only]

I am yet to see a Somali parent worrying about their child's learning or after school activities. Other non-Somali parents (mainly white and Asians) go out of their way to arrange for their kids to attend music or dance lessons or even do some sports after school....I never see Somali parents doing things like that. My sister has school aged kids and she is the definition of a Somali mum....I mean, she even took her kids out of a better school because they (her and her husband) couldn't be bothered to do the long drive. I found it absurd. Instead of trying to get your kids into a good independent schools, you opt for the local 'worst school in the borough'. That is just lame parenting if you ask me. And it's even worse because the kids are very smart maasha'Allah.

[DisplacedDiraac]

Growing up my parents were very education centred *both dunya and deen wise*
My abo took us to a all white school that was considered to be one of the best in our city (It used to take my abo just under an hour to get us to school) I believe we were on the waiting list for over a year and it was worth it..

My parents were very strict (Alhamdullah, but they had to be with 7 young sons).
Straight after school (at around 4) we would eat our snacks/dinner and watch the telly.. and as soon as it hit 5pm we had to get our school work out and study for an hour than Qu'ran lessons for an hour and than straight to bed thoses were the days

I used to hate weekends (espeically sundays) as.. We went to malcaamad at 9am till 12pm, came home eat and relaxed for like an hour.. then our tutor came for 2 hours.. which meant we had to study

But saturdays were our fun time, my abo used to take us swimming, football, kick boxing etc
what I loved about my parents was their moto ''Work hard.. play even harder.. (when your older that is) ''..

And Alhamdullah me and my siblings all turned out great *MashaaAllah*.

[ParadigmShift]

valid points but I have come to realise what matters most is not so much the education system but that a parent active involvement in their children education can make all the difference in the world. Luckily, there are many Somali parents were talking an active role in their children future by investing in private tuition. But there is alot of work to do.

[xoogSADE14]

Eyes

So you believe having Muslim kids participate in dance or music activities is going to enhance their what exactly?

[ParadigmShift]

Eyes

So you believe having Muslim kids participate in dance or music activities is going to enhance their what exactly?

To often a tough islamic curriculum can leave a child feeling exhausted. I know because I went through a very disciplined Islamic education. 5-7 on weekdays and 12-4 on weekends. I resented it because it was difficult learning something in another language and at the same time using 3 different languages to communicate. its can be quite overwhelming.

[union]

Luckily I've always been a self advocate or otherwise my parent's ignorance and laziness would have screwed me over as well.

[kadarre]

Kids are there to be nurtered. Asians(Indian)s in my area for example have their own tuition schools and no wonder that they have a high ''IQ''. Somalis dont value education as much as asians. . I remember an old asian friend failing his GCSE's his dad immediately took out his savings and put him into private school and next thing u know he was going Uni. He had done 3 A levels in one year. .

[SultanOrder]

I'm going to marry a girl with at least a BA degree, and then were going to home school our children until college.

[eyes-only]

Eyes

So you believe having Muslim kids participate in dance or music activities is going to enhance their what exactly?

Their creativity, their health and probably their social skills....to list a few.

We had after school clubs when I was in primary school....including music/dance and drama. I don't see what's wrong with that or what being Muslim has to do with it. My parents used to get us to sit around and mess about with crayons and draw stuff and my dad used to tell us stories every week.....there are different methods of learning. I mean, I went to dugsi as well and I did my homework (and hated them both with passion)....what I'm trying to say is that at the end of the day, kids need more active involvement from parents and variety. They don't need to sit around watching telly at a young age and attending poor schools.

Maybe if my sis was raised by my mum and dad, she would know different.

[Berke]

These people are parrots. If it was possible and white people started eating with their assholes, some of these idiots would be promoting that as the civilized way to do things and they would have a list of reasons why it is that way. Listen idiots, parents of other ethnicities care about the education of their kids because they themselves are educated and not former housewives and day laborers like your parents were. You teach your kids what you know.