AQA finally blinked and reversed their pathetic decision to scrap these vital exams. Our pressure forced them to recognize that Bengali is essential to the future of our students and the economy. They tried to sweep us aside but we refused to let them erase our language and culture.
July 2, 2015
Final supporters
TO: Chief Executive Officer, Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA)
As AQA has confirmed their plan NOT to redevelop A-Level qualification in Bengali and to scrap the A-level Bengali exam from 2018.
We strongly oppose this decision. AQA, SAVE A-level Bengali qualification. We, the undersigned draw the attention of AQA to the following
That Bengali is the 2nd most spoken language in London and the 4th most spoken language in the UK. This language is also one of the top 10 most spoken language in the world. A-level Bengali is accepted for university entrance as a measure of E Baccalaureate performance, Furthermore, the qualification widen up the prospects of young people to enhance their employment opportunities and contributing in British economy that is increasingly looking abroad as well as in Bangladesh, which is one of the 11th emerging countries in the world for its economic growth.
Information from the January 2012 School Census indicates that, pupils who speak Bengali (87,945) are in the 4th position out of 18 most spoken languages among mainstream school pupils. It seems clear that we need to prepare to meet the demand to sit A-Level exams in Bengali and to safeguard GCSE Bengali, rather than turn down the opportunity.
Once A-Level Bengali is abolished, it would have a negative impact on GCSE Bengali. By discontinuing exams in Bengali and keeping other languages, AQA is not providing equal opportunities for one of England's largest minorities.
Therefore the information and facts presented above clearly demonstrate that scrapping the Bengali A-level is a sceptical decision, which neither serves the Bengali community in the UK, nor the interests of British business.
We urge AQA to reverse this decision and to stop removing A-level Bengali.
In addition, by signing this petition we wish AQA and the Secretary of State to use her office to ensure that Bengali A-level examination is not withdrawn by the AQA awarding body and GCSE Bengali is also protected.
Updates
May 18, 2015
AQA thinks they can bury our language and ignore the massive community demanding change but they are dead wrong. The momentum we have built proves that our culture is not up for negotiation. We are showing these bureaucrats that their dismissive attitude toward Bengali education will not be tolerated.
Reached 100 supporters
May 18, 2015
36 Comments
I feel that support for community languages is key to ensuring that multiculturalism works in the UK. Generations of students are now less familiar with their heritage languages and the opportunity to study these has been a strength of the curriculum offer in many schools. To put this at risk would be a huge loss to our education system and to our country.
have been working in an inner London school for the last 23 years and feel that all students should have the opportunity to learn and be able to speak their mother tongue.
British Bangladeshi form a deprived, but proud community. British Bangladeshi schoolchildren have, in the past, fallen behind their peers in educational achievement but made impressive gains in recent years. Part of the reason for this is increasing confidence from finding their identity as Britons with a strong Bangladeshi cultural heritage. The Bega like GCSE and A level qualifications reinforce the value of that cultural heritage in the broad spectrum of UK society. It would be damaging to withdraw the qualification. I urge you to reconsider.
Coming from a British Bangladeshi background, I think it is vitally important to keep Bengali A-level, as I will still be able to connect to my roots.
Please save Bangla GCSE and A level qualifications in the UK. I would like my children to learn Bengali in the mainstream school as Bengali is my first language and mother tongue to them.
We need bengali as an A level subject
A real pity!
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AQA finally blinked and reversed their pathetic decision to scrap these vital exams. Our pressure forced them to recognize that Bengali is essential to the future of our students and the economy. They tried to sweep us aside but we refused to let them erase our language and culture.
July 2, 2015
Final supporters
TO: Chief Executive Officer, Assessment and Qualification Alliance (AQA)
As AQA has confirmed their plan NOT to redevelop A-Level qualification in Bengali and to scrap the A-level Bengali exam from 2018.
We strongly oppose this decision. AQA, SAVE A-level Bengali qualification. We, the undersigned draw the attention of AQA to the following
That Bengali is the 2nd most spoken language in London and the 4th most spoken language in the UK. This language is also one of the top 10 most spoken language in the world. A-level Bengali is accepted for university entrance as a measure of E Baccalaureate performance, Furthermore, the qualification widen up the prospects of young people to enhance their employment opportunities and contributing in British economy that is increasingly looking abroad as well as in Bangladesh, which is one of the 11th emerging countries in the world for its economic growth.
Information from the January 2012 School Census indicates that, pupils who speak Bengali (87,945) are in the 4th position out of 18 most spoken languages among mainstream school pupils. It seems clear that we need to prepare to meet the demand to sit A-Level exams in Bengali and to safeguard GCSE Bengali, rather than turn down the opportunity.
Once A-Level Bengali is abolished, it would have a negative impact on GCSE Bengali. By discontinuing exams in Bengali and keeping other languages, AQA is not providing equal opportunities for one of England's largest minorities.
Therefore the information and facts presented above clearly demonstrate that scrapping the Bengali A-level is a sceptical decision, which neither serves the Bengali community in the UK, nor the interests of British business.
We urge AQA to reverse this decision and to stop removing A-level Bengali.
In addition, by signing this petition we wish AQA and the Secretary of State to use her office to ensure that Bengali A-level examination is not withdrawn by the AQA awarding body and GCSE Bengali is also protected.
Updates
May 18, 2015
AQA thinks they can bury our language and ignore the massive community demanding change but they are dead wrong. The momentum we have built proves that our culture is not up for negotiation. We are showing these bureaucrats that their dismissive attitude toward Bengali education will not be tolerated.
Reached 100 supporters
May 18, 2015
36 Comments
We need to make sure that our Community Languages are held in the same esteem as European Languages. Abolishing A-Level Bengali certainly demonstrates that this is not the case.
I feel that support for community languages is key to ensuring that multiculturalism works in the UK. Generations of students are now less familiar with their heritage languages and the opportunity to study these has been a strength of the curriculum offer in many schools. To put this at risk would be a huge loss to our education system and to our country.
have been working in an inner London school for the last 23 years and feel that all students should have the opportunity to learn and be able to speak their mother tongue.
British Bangladeshi form a deprived, but proud community. British Bangladeshi schoolchildren have, in the past, fallen behind their peers in educational achievement but made impressive gains in recent years. Part of the reason for this is increasing confidence from finding their identity as Britons with a strong Bangladeshi cultural heritage. The Bega like GCSE and A level qualifications reinforce the value of that cultural heritage in the broad spectrum of UK society. It would be damaging to withdraw the qualification. I urge you to reconsider.
Coming from a British Bangladeshi background, I think it is vitally important to keep Bengali A-level, as I will still be able to connect to my roots.
Please save Bangla GCSE and A level qualifications in the UK. I would like my children to learn Bengali in the mainstream school as Bengali is my first language and mother tongue to them.
We need bengali as an A level subject
A real pity!
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We need to make sure that our Community Languages are held in the same esteem as European Languages. Abolishing A-Level Bengali certainly demonstrates that this is not the case.