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Introduction
The Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) grant accounts for most of the education element of the Home Office Section 11 programme. It is primarily concerned with provision for ethnic minority pupils in schools. A small part is available for use with learners in LEA adult education. In particular the grant is designed to meet the needs of pupils for whom English is a second language.
Details of the grant and its linkage to adult basic skills
The new EMA grant :
a) provides an opportunity to build on Section 11 work and to ensure that schools and LEAs work together to provide genuine equality of opportunity for all pupils;
b) provides ring-fenced funding which must be used specifically for the support of those from ethnic minorities;
c) links with the LEA's Education Development Plan and the literacy strategy and contributes to the national priority to raise standards for under-achieving groups, including those for whom English is an additional language;
d) provides for a significant element of devolution of the funding to schools. This will ensure that schools have a significant role in the effective management of this work, including appointing additional staff and purchasing appropriate resources, in order to form a key part of whole school approaches to raising ethnic minority achievement;
e) gives LEAs a central strategic role in providing specific support and advice to schools in making provision for EAL pupils and in raising standards of achievement for minority ethnic groups, including accountability for the use of the grant; in-service training, peripatetic support to schools; monitoring and intervention if necessary
f) encourages the provision of in-service training both for specialist teachers and for mainstream staff.
Thus, it is linked to adult basic skills through delivery of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and other basic skills to ethnic minorities.
Eligibility criteria for applicants
All LEAs who have funding under the existing section 11 programme will receive this grant. Each LEA will then utilise the funds to meet its specific needs. From 2002/03 the grant will be administered by the Learning and Skills Council.
Eligibility criteria for projects
The purposes for which this grant is used must be reflected in the authority's Education Development Plan which should, in turn, articulate the links between this work and the implementation of the National Literacy Strategy.
LEAs will need to submit action plans setting out the purpose and expected outcomes of provision under this specific grant. These plans will need to be agreed with the DfES School Inclusion Division. Each LEA will need to complete the proforma if acting on its own, or as the lead Authority in a consortium. In the latter case only one action plan will be required.
Bidding process and timetable
For 2001-02, as a transitional arrangement, all allocations in the first year will mirror existing levels of Section 11 provision. Potential providers of adult basic skills who are interested in accessing this funding should contact the Local Education Authority of the relevant local authority to explore the opportunities in their area. Details of local authorities can be found on the following website in the links page: http://www.lgiu.gov.uk/
Contact details for further information
Ian McVicar
Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit
Department for Education and Skills
Level 1
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London SW1H 9NA
Tel: 020 7273 5391
E-mail: ian.mcvicar@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
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