The main difference between the education promises in Neil Kinnock’s 1992 manifesto and Tony Blair’s document are the price tags - before the last election Labour pledged Pounds 600 million within two years.This year’s outline manifesto fights shy of spending pledges. No new money is promised.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
1992 Pounds 30m to be invested in repairs to ensure that within 12 months no child has to use an outside lavatory.
1996 Improvements to school buildings to be funded through public-private partnerships.
SELECTION
1992 Selection at 11 to end.
1996 Rejects return to the 11-plus. . . . The future of remaining grammar schools is for parents to decide, through local ballots. “We will not close good schools.”
EARLY YEARS
1992 Nursery education by 2000 for all three and four-year-olds whose parents want it. Councils will be required to use all the money allocated for nurseries as well as money earmarked for city technology colleges creating 25,000 new places.
1996 Nursery education for all three and four-year-olds. Vouchers to be scrapped and money used for services for four-year-olds and to expand those for three-year-olds.
LITERACY
1992 Pounds 20m to be invested in the first year of a national reading standards programme.
1996 Task Force to make recommendations within present resources.
CLASS SIZES
1992 End primary classes of over 40 within a year. Steadily reduce maximum limits until no primary child is taught in a class of more than 30.
1996 Cut class sizes to under 30 for five, six and seven-year-olds, funded by abolishing assisted places.
HIGHER EDUCATION
1992 Present student loan system replaced with a fairer one to help bright youngsters from poor families.
1996 Students will have to make a contribution to costs, when their earnings allow.
