I write articles on current affairs, for EMMA (Ethical Multicultural Media Academy), as well as press releases and articles for MeWe Theatre Company and, reviews for The National Theatre

Truancy Levels at Record High (Home Affairs/Education)

The NHS is often, said to be the most invested in, public service, but over the past 11 years the Labour government have poured a significant amount of money into Britain's education system. This investment has helped to transform some parts of British education for the better, with levels of professionals and graduates pursuing careers in teaching, on the rise, the improvement, development and expansion of school complexes taking place across the country and the salaries of those working in education, increasing. But one issue that seems to have grown as a problem in education over the past decade is that of truancy, with levels steadily on the rise for the past few years and now standing at a record high. Figures released by the government, show the school year 2007- ending in 2008, produced record numbers of unauthorised absences from schools. The Department for Children, Schools and Families published figures revealing truancy had risen by 1% since the school year ending in 2007. The records show that 18,600 primary school children missed school each day without reason, excuse or permission. 43,000 secondary school children missed truanted from classes. All in all over 63,000 pupils missed school each day last year with 233,000 pupils were deemed "persistent absentees" who missed at least one school day per week. The acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Christine Blower, said: "Overcoming truancy is a difficult and demanding task for which there is no magic solution. What is absolutely essential, however, to ensure pupils remain engaged in schools is for the Government to stop its obsession with the present testing and targets regime." The Government responded, stating the number of children attending school each day has gone up by 70,000 over the passed 12 years. While the number of unauthorised absences hit a record high, authorised absences dropped to a record low with children missing 5.28% of lessons last year, down from 5.59%. Despite Labour claiming a general improvement on truancy levels while they have been in power, the latest figures clearly reveal primary school truancy is up to 0.57% from 0.52%. Secondary School absences did fall slightly to 1.49% from 1.52% but still uncomfortably high. 05/03/09 Vernon Nxumalo (Home Affairs/Education)

Schwarzenegger's Climate Change Tour (International/Envirnment)

When Arnold Schwarzenegger's name is mentioned, those of a certain age will have thoughts of a highly competitive, Austrian body builder springing to their mind. A few will think of the author and business man, but most will think of the leading roles he played in blockbuster movies, such as Terminator, Conan The Barbarian and True Lies. But it is easy to forget, that the former actor and sports star is now a successful politician and has held one of the most influential offices in the United States for six years. A decade ago he was saving the planet from Satanists in the movie, End Of Days, now he is attempting to save the real world from the threats of climate change. The Governor of California made a surprise visit to the Geneva motor show this week, to take a look at new cars in production, focusing especially on the more economic and environmentally kind models. He declined to answer any journalists questions but he did make the short statement: "I urge as much investment in environmental technology as possible, this industry is key to economic recovery." Some political commentators view this as U-turn, after Schwarzenegger once declared his adoration for the gas-guzzling civilian Hummers. Govenor Schwarzenegger, re-elcted in 2007, campaigned hard for John McCain in the recent presidential election and was a staunch supporter of President Bush, the former commander and chief often accused of a poor environmental record. But under the new, environmentally friendly President Obama, Schwarzenegger seems to be making an effort to tackle the growing problem of global warming. The Geneva car show visit, is just one stop in a wider European 'Technology Tour' the Governor is on. His aim is to visit as many companies and manufacturers as possible, in the hope of gaining knowledge advice and inspiration on how to tackle the problems of pollution back in his own state. The day before his Geneva visit, Governor Schwarzenegger toured a technology trade fair in Hanover, Germany. He was accompanied by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. Although it may seem as though Schwarzenegger has only just started acting on climate change, he has been speaking out on combating omissions in his state as well as the rest of the USA. In a memorable speech on the 26/09/08 in San Francisco, the governor said 'Everything has a carbon footprint' and that 'Washington is asleep at the wheel and we cannot look for leadership there.' As well as championing the progress his state had already made, he made an impassioned plea to the rest of the United States saying: "We have to measure literally everything, one source at a time. Now we must set the goals to reduce greenhouses gases source by source and figure out exactly how to make those reductions and figure out how to make those goals a reality. The bottom line is, as America, as China and other nations argue about who should get to go first when it comes to getting serious about tackling global warming, California is already there and we do the work." If the rest of America follow California's lead, matched with the green credentials of the new president, the view of the United States as a reformed leader of the world in tackling climate change as well as other world problems, will be cemented. 10/03/09 Vernon Nxumalo (International/Envirnment)

Refugee Family Fight Landmark Adoption Case (International Law/Adoption)

War and civil conflict inevitably lead to pain, death and destruction. The widespread chaos and fear instilled in humans at times of violence and unrest can cause widespread, panic, paranoia and displacement, causing individuals, families and entire towns to flee their homes and to escape persecution, abuse and murder. But as well as horrific stories of violence, pain and inhumanity, war also brings out the best in human nature and tales of heroism, compassion and bravery also come to light. Such as the story, as recent as last month, of a A Congolese family uprooted by war, fighting to adopt the baby boy they cared for as their own, after finding him by the road side. Back in 2005 Jean-Pierre Tombo Milenge, a small businessman, fled the east Congolese town of Goma, with his wife and nine children after his and his families lives became threatened, after resisting in joining Tutsi rebels who wanted to recruit him to their forces. Two years on, the family had escaped and settled in Kenya. In the month of August, Milenge's wife, Alphonsine Kavira Salambongo discovered a one year old boy sitting by the side of a road in Nairobi. The showed clear signs of neglect, as he was covered in dirt and his own Feicies. "The baby had gone to the toilet on itself. Nobody dared touch him," Said Salambongo. After taking the boy in, Kenyan authorities, told the Congolese family that they must give the boy to an orphanage in the region but after six establishments refused the child, Salambongo and her husband took the boy on as their own, treating him as a new member of the family. After falling in love with the youngster over a period of eight months, the family applied to adopt him before children's authorities took the boy to children's home in Nairobi. Milenge said: "They instructed the orphanage that we can't visit him -- they even said they wanted the child to forget us. At Christmas, we came with gifts and were denied access." The family's lawyer and the U.N. refugee agency say the case could be a first in global legal history As the case began at Nairobi's High Court. Lawyer Rose Mbanya said: "I believe it would set a precedent. The law is silent on whether refugees can adopt." The family are set to head for the USA in March and want to take the boy, now two and a half years old, with them. Milenge reiterated his families desire to care for the child, stating: ""In spite of our refugee status, we verily believe that we can make and had made good parents for the child and provide him with a loving family. It is our humble view that we have been discriminated against due to our status of being refugees without any basis in law for doing this... My children had also grown very fond of (the child) whom they referred to as their youngest brother." The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, (UNHCR), responded: "This is the first time we've experienced it. Adding: "If a refugee wants to adopt in Kenya, they have to go through the adoption laws in Kenya like any other foreigner." 05/03/09 Vernon Nxumalo (International Law/Adoption)