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[h=1]Tanzanian school denied visas for exchange visit to the UK[/h]
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By PAUL REDFERN (email the author)
Posted Saturday, March 31 2012 at 13:42
THE BRITISH governments Border Agency has banned a school in Tanzania from going on an exchange visit to the UK even though the Sussex-based school encountered no problems when it visited its counterparts in Dar es Salaam.
The schools headteacher, Jon Ford, said that despite raising thousands of pounds for the visit, it had been vetoed over fears the Tanzanian students would return home.
However, this is the first time in over six years of visits between the two schools that Tanzanian students have been refused visas.
Sixth formers from Imberhorne School in East Grinstead, Sussex have been involved in an exchange programme with the Minaki High School for Boys, which is near Dar es Salaam and had visited Tanzania last October.
Mr Ford said the refusal to allow the students in was allegedly due to their failure to provide sufficient evidence of economic or family ties to their country.
A spokesman from the UK Border Agency, which refused the applications, said: Organisers of school trips must provide a range of information including the names of all children on the trip, a named adult carer for each child, details of where they are staying and confirmation of parental consent.
Failure to provide any of the information required can result in applications being refused.
The Sussex school have highlighted the case because of their concerns.
Six-year relationship
Mr Ford told the BBC that pupils from his school had visited Tanzania in October and formed strong relationships.
Weve been doing this for six years and have never had a student even hint at not going back before, he said.
And these students are very bright students theyre doing A-levels, planning to go to university, theyve got bright futures in Tanzania. Theres absolutely no chance, in our view, of them doing anything other than coming and having a fantastic two weeks with us, renewing their friendships and heading back to their own country.
Mr Ford added: My colleague was told on the balance of probabilities the High Commission was not satisfied that the boys were genuine visitors or would leave on completion of the visit.
Imberhorne School was established in 1970. It is a comprehensive school with specialist Language College status situated in East Grinstead, West Sussex in England.
The school caters for children between the ages of 11 and 18. The school roll totals 1650 including 300 in the Sixth Form, and the school is situated on two different sites at Windmill Lane and Imberhorne Lane.
The current headteacher is Mr Jon Ford. In 2004 the school was awarded Artsmark Silver and Sportsmark for excellence in these areas.
By PAUL REDFERN (email the author)
Posted Saturday, March 31 2012 at 13:42
THE BRITISH governments Border Agency has banned a school in Tanzania from going on an exchange visit to the UK even though the Sussex-based school encountered no problems when it visited its counterparts in Dar es Salaam.
The schools headteacher, Jon Ford, said that despite raising thousands of pounds for the visit, it had been vetoed over fears the Tanzanian students would return home.
However, this is the first time in over six years of visits between the two schools that Tanzanian students have been refused visas.
Sixth formers from Imberhorne School in East Grinstead, Sussex have been involved in an exchange programme with the Minaki High School for Boys, which is near Dar es Salaam and had visited Tanzania last October.
Mr Ford said the refusal to allow the students in was allegedly due to their failure to provide sufficient evidence of economic or family ties to their country.
A spokesman from the UK Border Agency, which refused the applications, said: Organisers of school trips must provide a range of information including the names of all children on the trip, a named adult carer for each child, details of where they are staying and confirmation of parental consent.
Failure to provide any of the information required can result in applications being refused.
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Share The Sussex school have highlighted the case because of their concerns.
Six-year relationship
Mr Ford told the BBC that pupils from his school had visited Tanzania in October and formed strong relationships.
Weve been doing this for six years and have never had a student even hint at not going back before, he said.
And these students are very bright students theyre doing A-levels, planning to go to university, theyve got bright futures in Tanzania. Theres absolutely no chance, in our view, of them doing anything other than coming and having a fantastic two weeks with us, renewing their friendships and heading back to their own country.
Mr Ford added: My colleague was told on the balance of probabilities the High Commission was not satisfied that the boys were genuine visitors or would leave on completion of the visit.
Imberhorne School was established in 1970. It is a comprehensive school with specialist Language College status situated in East Grinstead, West Sussex in England.
The school caters for children between the ages of 11 and 18. The school roll totals 1650 including 300 in the Sixth Form, and the school is situated on two different sites at Windmill Lane and Imberhorne Lane.
The current headteacher is Mr Jon Ford. In 2004 the school was awarded Artsmark Silver and Sportsmark for excellence in these areas.
