Better role models 'key to tackling underachi

Creating better role models for young black men within their local communities could provide the key to tackling underachievement, according to a new report.

Commissioned by Communities and Local Government, the study outlines ways of tackling a "culture of low aspiration" in black boys that could cost the UK economy as much as £24 billion over the next 50 years.

The Reach report urges local agencies, parents, communities and the government to work together in order to ensure that young black men reach their full potential.

It talks about the need for positive role models for the black community from fields such as education, law, medicine and business to encourage young people to be successful, and criticises those that glamorise gangs or guns.

Clive Lewis, chairman of the Reach group, said: "We need to focus our collective effort on raising the aspirations and achievement of black boys and young men to enable them to be more connected and engaged with wider society and more able to make an even greater contribution economically, culturally and politically to Britain."

Advocating an umbrella organisation to oversee local schemes and a national mentoring programme, the Reach expert panel also calls for Ofsted inspections to ensure that schools are working to close academic gaps between black and white pupils.


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Date:09/08/2007 10:41:17