Kennedy launches “Pupils’ Guarantee”
In a key note speech on education, the Liberal Democrat leader has warned that children and young people are being left out of the debate on education.
Charles Kennedy said that the Liberal Democrats would give a “Pupils’ Guarantee” – a five point promise of quality education to every child .
Contrasting his plans with the “choice” debate, Mr Kennedy said: “What’s been missing from the great debate about education? We’ve heard much from the other two parties about choice as a panacea for improving standards. Yet young people are seldom – if ever – mentioned.”
“Today there is little philosophical difference between Labour and the Conservatives about how to deliver education. Both are flirting with private provision and schools organising their own selection. The Tories may be further ahead, but Labour is playing catch up.”
“We are putting young people at the centre of our thinking. Our children are our future. They deserve our full attention. The ‘Pupils’ Guarantee’ – says to every child and every parent that they will receive a quality education close to home.”
The “Pupils’ Guarantee” promises: quality teaching, a quality personalised curriculum, smaller classes, less assessment and better school buildings and facilities.
“The Liberal Democrats are adamant that we cannot afford to let down future generations of young people by not being tough on the delivery of quality education locally.”
Their focus would be on ensuring that local schools are all of a high standard, rather than offering parents choice between different schools.
Mr Kennedy said: “The essential difference between the Liberal Democrats and both Labour and Tories over schools policy is that we believe young people should be at the heart of our schools system not institutions or political dogma.”
“What sets this “Pupils’ Guarantee” apart is that it does not simply apply to those children whose parents have the determination, the wealth or the mobility to seek quality – our guarantee includes everyone. A good local school should be available to all. If parents then choose to by-pass it and go somewhere else, they should do so because another school is offering a more appropriate education – not simply to escape from failure.”
