Lib Dems want a quality education for all, not just for the fortunate few

12.02.00pm GMT Sat 28th Mar 2009

For too many children, success at school still depends on how rich their parents are, or where they were born. If you are not born lucky, life at school is a real struggle. Poor children often start school already behind richer kids and then fall even further behind as they get older. Schools should be able to make sure every child has the opportunity to do their very best and get the skills they need to succeed in life.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Alan Armitage explained: "Liberal Democrats want to make sure that all children can do well in school, no matter where they are born. Key to this is the idea of a Pupil Premium, giving more money to schools so that they can provide things like more one-to-support and catch-up classes for children who are struggling. Other key points in our plan are reducing class sizes for the youngest, reducing government interference in schools, cutting out student tuition fees and improving re-training opportunities for those starting new careers."

"Young children are starting school in some of the largest classes in the developed world making it very difficult for teachers to give them the attention they need. The Liberal Democrats are the only party which will cut class sizes and make it easier for teachers to set children on the right footing as they start their education. We'll give schools extra cash so that infant classes (5-7 year olds) can be cut to private school levels of only 15 children.

"Teachers want to get the best from our children but they are held back because of government interference and initiatives which stop them from spending time with their pupils. The Liberal Democrats believe that all schools should be free from meddling politicians to work in creative and interesting ways to drive up standards and focus their attention on all their pupils, not the latest Government target. We will slim down the Curriculum and pass an Education Freedom Act banning politicians from getting involved in the day to day running of schools - leaving teachers to get on and focus on getting the best from all their pupils.

"New graduates are being saddled with thousands of pounds worth of debt at a time when they already struggling to find a job and make ends meet. The Liberal Democrats believe that a university education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go to university and not be put off by the cost. We will scrap tuition fees for full and part-time students taking their first degrees. We will also support adult learners by scrapping FE fees and helping them with their living costs.

"More and more people are losing their jobs and struggling to access the training they need to start new careers. The Liberal Democrats believe that people who find themselves out of work need to be helped so that they can find suitable training courses without worrying about the costs. We will re-focus the money committed to the employer led train to gain programme on individual adult learners so that they can access the training they need. We will also expand the number of adult apprentices and fully fund them, easing the burden on employers."