Leeds MP Gives His Support To My Friend Needs A Teacher

John Battle MP for Leeds West today visited Aireview primary school in support of the 2006 ‘My friend needs a teacher’ campaign organised by Action aid.

Speaking to students from Aireview primary John Battle said “ I am delighted to be here today to support this campaign and personally receive the cardboard cut out teacher. Aireview primary school has developed links with a school in Uganda and I am delighted to hear that they have recently been awarded International school foundation status for their work in this area.”

John Battle went onto say “Around the world, more than 100 million children don’t ever get the chance to go to school. Most of them are girls living in poorer countries. Many more struggle to learn in classrooms of up to 100 children. This year, the world’s biggest children's campaign is making millions of cut-out teachers from April – June, to say 'My Friend Needs a Teacher.' Each teacher made will represent a real teacher desperately needed by a class of children. Its great to see young children caring about international development and I will certainly be taking this cardboard cut out and its signatures forward and pressing the Minister and the Prime Minister to provide more support to education in the developing world.”

©John Battle MP 9 June 2006