Birmingham Schools

Debate between Lord Gove and Rehman Chishti

Monday 9th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend makes a characteristically acute and pertinent point.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

I welcome what the Secretary of State is doing in this area. I was appalled by some of the report’s findings, particularly the comment by Sheikh Shady al-Suleiman, where he distorted the concept of jihad and linked it to Afghanistan, which is often used by extremists to recruit people to radicalisation. Linked to that, does the Secretary of State agree that Sunday schools at places of worship should also be encouraged to teach British values and that sermons should be taught in English and not simply in Urdu or Arabic, to ensure that distortion is tackled?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Gove and Rehman Chishti

Monday 9th September 2013 Commons Chamber

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

T5. It was recently reported that the Government taskforce on tackling extremism was looking at encouraging Muslim soldiers to visit schools to improve community cohesion. How far has the scheme got?

[Michael Gove]

This is an excellent idea put forward by my noble Friend Baroness Warsi. We want to ensure that we use the commemorations of the beginning of the first world war, in which so many empire and Commonwealth soldiers fought so bravely, and other opportunities in which we can affirm the strength of modern multicultural Britain, to do what she has outlined.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Gove and Rehman Chishti

Monday 29th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

In the 2012 GCSE results more students in Medway achieved five or more A to C grades. Will the Minister join me in congratulating the parents, students and staff on that achievement?

[Michael Gove]

I absolutely will. It proves that, even in tough circumstances, with strong leadership children can do better.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Gove and Rehman Chishti

Monday 27th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

It is a fair point, but we are using the formula for allocating money designed by the Government so enthusiastically supported by the hon. Gentleman over 13 years.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

T6. Will the Minister join me in welcoming the strong partnership working between MidKent college, based in my constituency, and the university of Greenwich, BAE Systems and the Royal Engineers to bring a university technical college to Medway?

[Michael Gove]

That sounds like a model of the type of collaboration between local government, industry and schools that we would like to promote and that we are happy to see flourishing under the coalition Government.

Schools White Paper

Debate between Lord Gove and Rehman Chishti

Wednesday 24th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Rehman Chishti.

[Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)]

Last but not least.

I welcome the statement as representing an excellent way forward. Will the anonymity for teachers who are the subject of false accusations last until conviction?

[Michael Gove]

The intention is that anonymity should last until charging. We do not want to interfere with the way the courts operate, but we do want to ensure that teachers who may face vexatious or mischievous allegations are protected. That is crucial, and I am very glad that the right hon. Member for Leigh will support us in bringing forward that measure.