I believe we all have a duty to ‘give back’ to society and tutoring disadvantaged pupils is one of the most rewarding and valuable things you can do, says Zeenia

“Twenty one year old student, Zeenia Naqvee, believes we all have a duty to ‘give back’ to society, and tutoring disadvantaged children – who account for 27% of pupils in state schools – is one of the most rewarding and valuable things you can do. Zeenia is urging local residents of all ages to join her to bridge the attainment gap between pupils from lower socio-economic backgrounds and their more privileged counterparts  – a gap that has widened over lockdown from 18 months to 2.5 years. Zeenia volunteers with Action Tutoring, an education charity whose vision is a world in which no child’s life chances are limited by their background.

Zeenia, a third-year undergraduate studying English and linguistics at the University of Liverpool, has been tutoring English to disadvantaged GCSE pupils in weekly sessions at various schools in Liverpool and the Wirral since joining Action Tutoring in November 2019.

“I joined Action Tutoring because I believe in equality of opportunity for all,” said Zeenia. “Many pupils in inner-city areas are left behind in education due to preconceived ideas about what they are capable of achieving – I am eager to challenge the notion that disadvantaged pupils have less aspiration in life. I am extremely passionate about the emotional wellbeing of young people and children, and with each pupil I tutor, I am making it my priority to unlock their potential, boost their confidence and encourage ambition.”

Zeenia’s own school experiences also influenced her decision to become a volunteer tutor. “I have always loved language and words, but struggled with maths,” she explained. “I was fortunate to have a GCSE maths tutor – thanks to my parents – who helped me pass the one subject that was hindering me in school. I’ve seen first-hand the benefits that small-group or one-to-one sessions can provide.”

Whilst tutoring a pupil in Birkenhead, Zeenia recalls a particularly poignant encounter that strengthened her resolve to help close the attainment gap. “We were talking about career aims and one pupil told me about his dreams to become a doctor. I could see the shyness in his eyes so asked him why he was so coy; he replied that he didn’t believe he was smart enough to become a doctor. I reassured him immediately – I knew that this determined child was capable of achieving above and beyond any preconceived expectations.”

She added, “The biggest reward in tutoring is seeing the look on pupils’ faces when they successfully grasp a concept – it’s so gratifying to know you are helping to boost their outcomes and open doors to the future.”

Action Tutoring is delivering tutoring both online and in person to provide tutoring support for as many pupils as possible who have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Action Tutoring currently partners with six secondary schools in Liverpool and the Wirral – any new schools interested in working with the charity are welcome to get in touch.

 

To sign up to volunteer with Action Tutoring or to learn more, please email hello@actiontutoring.org.uk or call 0203 872 5894.