Labour vows to increase spending on Sure Start and revisit commitment to statutory PSHE
Janaki Mahadevan
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Labour has renewed its pledge to introduce one-to-one tuition for all pupils who fall behind, statutory personal, social, health and economic education and a licence to practise for teachers.
Despite having to drop parts of the Children's Schools and Families Bill before the close of Parliament last week, Labour has vowed in its manifesto to revisit these commitments if the party remains in power after the election.
School report cards, which would give every parent information including levels of parental satisfaction and progress of pupils, are also mentioned in the manifesto despite being criticised by teaching unions for being "overly bureaucratic".
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: "We welcome the government's continued commitment to extending free school meals for the poorest, and their aspirations for universal free school meals. They are also right to protect frontline services.
"I am disappointed, however, that the manifesto includes references to the licence to practise for teachers. The licensing proposal was unceremoniously and rightly thrown out by Parliament last week after over 25,000 NUT members and supporters signed our petition against the licence."
Other manifesto pledges
- Spending increased on frontline Sure Start and free childcare, schools and 16-19 learning.
- An expansion of free nursery places for two-year-olds and 15 hours a week of flexible, free nursery education for three-and four-year-olds.
- Up to 1,000 secondary schools to become part of an accredited schools group by 2015 through mergers and takeovers.
- Guaranteed childcare and "constructive activities" for primary-aged children from 8am until 6pm in term-time at their own or a neighbouring school.
