NASUWT: Comments on the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto
Commenting on the proposals for education in the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“The Liberal Democrats have set out an ambitious set of proposals.
“A number of the policy proposals were trailed in advance of the publication of the manifesto. However, there are a number of new policy proposals which are significant.
“The screening of every pupil at the age of five to identify their special educational needs could have unintended consequences. A comprehensive package of support must also be guaranteed to meet any special educational needs identified.
“The proposal to allow every 14 year old the right to choose to attend college is puzzling. The direction of travel for 14-19 education and training is increasingly based on collaboration between schools and colleges. There is a risk of placing too much emphasis on the place where a pupil is educated rather than the nature of the curriculum they receive. There is a real question of who should have the final decision about a child’s education – the pupil or their parents.
“These proposals, together with those to extend parental leave rights and the provision of 20 hours free childcare are ambitious but need to be properly costed if they are not to become a pious wish list.”
ENDS
Ilana Rapaport
NASUWT Press Office
w: ilana.rapaport@mail.nasuwt.org.uk
t: 020 7420 9680
Mobile and out of hours contact: 07966 195 010
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