FIGHT THE DEPORTATION
OF SCHOOL TEACHER
FARHAN ZAKARIA

Who is Farhan?

Farhan Zakaria, 28, who was teaching French and Bengali at Sarah Bonnell School in Stratford, has lived in the UK for 12 years. But now he faces deportation as his visa was only valid while his father was working for the Bangladesh High Commission, which he stopped doing in 2000. They have never recoursed to public funds during their stay in the UK, they have acquired jobs and paid taxes.

Mr Zakaria argues it would be a breach of his right to a family and private life if he is sent back to Bangladesh. But immigration judges have rejected his claim as well as that of his parents and elder brother.

Mr Zakaria said he did not realise his visa was not indefinite, and is seeking leave to appeal against the decision to the High Court.

This is why we need your help.

We need teachers like Farhan

As a language teacher he has been teaching French and Bengali in secondary school for the last four years. Farhan says "French has been a fascinating subject to teach. I enjoy teaching and take pride in my profession in raising standards. It is the enthusiasm and feedback from pupils. After a hard working day you can smile and be happy that they have learned something today."

He also says "It is vital for the new generation to learn at least one foreign language as it opens the door to employment. This can also apply to making use of your mother tongue, Bengali for me, which you may not think straight away can help you get a job."

The UK is his home

Farhan and his family have been living in the UK for 12 years. Farhan went through secondary school, college, university and then became a qualified and highly respected school teacher. His whole life is made up of his study, experience, friends and family in the UK. Sending him back to a country he finds foreign to him would be a clear travesty.

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News Updates

Watch Farhan on BBC Panorama

Watch short clip of Farhan on the BBC

Farhan teams up with Strangers into Citizens a pressure group backed by the London Mayor Boris Johnson. Join him and others on 4th May National Day of Action & Celebration

NUT Rep Support - Caroline Coleman

The Evening Standard Article

BBC Radio - Protest at School

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Messages of Support

"I work with Farhan in the World Languages Team at Sarah Bonnell. He is a unique member offering French, Bengali and ICT. He is an excellent role model and bridge between our various communities. We cannot replace him as a teacher. Many students are now suffering. I plead for common sense to prevail in this matter. Maybe there is misunderstanding in the paperwork but the Zakarias are not criminals and have not knowingly committed any offence. I implore you to show compassion and let the family remain and allow Farhan to return to the job which needs him and for which he has been trained in this country."

"Mr Zakaria is a realy good french and bengali teacher and you dont get many bengali teachers here so Mr Zakaria should stay...Bangladesh is to far, people need their A*"

"Deporting Farhan would be a travesty. He has served his community and been a great asset to the teaching of many young people."

"This deportation would be an utter travesty and counter to all notions of natural justice Farhan is a fabulous teacher and a valued colleague and friend. It would be extremely sad to see him go."

"He is a sincere and dedicated teacher. Deporting him will ruin the education of several girls especially those of whom are soon sitting their GCSEs :("

I am the Head of Department in which Farhan works. I cannot find a replacement Bengali and French teacher to teach his classes. Most people who are teaching Bengali are not specifically trained to teach it and therefore their teaching of languages is not up to the standard that we expect in a languages college like Sarah Bonnell. Furthermore, Farhan has the kind of skill that makes him highly in demand as a teacher, he can teach French and Bengali, a European language and a Community language. This is truly unique. He is a much loved teacher and member of the department and I am in despair for this year's Y11 who are not being taught at all and have a GCSE soon. This is ridiculous, unless the Immigration Authorities can provide the students with a trained Bengali and French teacher, then we are bereft and the students are paying the price of this decision.

"Mr Zakaria is my form tutor, I enjoy him teaching my class it's really fun and I would be really upset if he had to leave I would cry. I'd miss him a lot and I know the whole school would feel the same...please don't deport him back."

"there are 100 and thousandds of people living in this country illegally , many of them are using the public funds, the goverment ignored them, on the other hand Mr Zakariah who is a valuable teacher paying taxes and has served thiss country for many years... the decision of the homeoffice is injustice and MADNESS."

"Farhan was a colleague of mine and he was a valuable member of the team, as far as we were all concerned and still are Farhan is British, he has worked in Britain, paid his taxes and insurances in Britain, Spent his earnings in Britain, therefore adding to the economy, which in the current climate needs people like Farham who are willing to keep putting into the governments purse. He is a moral outstanding member of society who has worked hard to get where he is, and has built a life for him and his family here, we should support this courageous effort and the determination and start taking steps to teach the vast majority of our own citizens to get off their backsides and do the same as he has! Bravo Farhan!!"

"I fail to understand the purpose that this deportation will serve. I would like to see the Government of this country upholding values of fairness and understanding, not rigidity that leads to cruelty,"

"Sarah Bonnel is privileged to have someone who teaches a communtiy AND european language. He is a fantastic teacher who i believe will help me reach an A*"

This website is run by Friends of Farhan