Blair unveils 'pivotal' education reforms

Prime Minister Tony Blair has unveiled plans to reform Britain’s state schools, describing it as a “pivotal moment” for his government.

Speaking ahead of the publication of an Education White Paper tomorrow, Mr Blair said that he wanted to offer “more power and choice for parents”, by freeing schools from the control of local authorities.

He also emphasised plans to offer personalised lessons to pupils and give teachers the “unambiguous right” to discipline children in their classes.

Mr Blair said: “We will continue to put more money into our schools and complete the reforms we began so that, in time, we have a system of independent, self-governing state schools, with fair funding and fair admissions, but driven above all by the needs of pupils, wishes of parents and the dynamism of our best teachers.”

The Prime Minister said that the changes had to “become self-sustaining to provide irreversible change for the better.”

Under the new plans, schools would be able to decide on the selection process for pupils, as well as teaching methods and subjects offered.

Mr Blair said: “We must do better to tackle the pockets of deep educational disadvantage; do better in lifting schools from average to good; do better in enabling more good schools to become genuine centres of excellence, giving as good an education in the state sector as anyone can buy in the private school system.”

However, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is reported to be opposed to the plans, arguing that poorer pupils would be disadvantaged by giving schools more independence and parents, more choice.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly also acknowledged that the proposals could provoke problems within the government. She said: “Whenever flagship policies are developed, there is going to be debate within the government.”

Shadow Education Secretary David Cameron announced that the Conservatives would back the reforms. However, he pointed out that Mr Blair had abolished the grant maintained schools – introduced by the Conservatives – which, he said, “had the very freedoms he is now talking about”. Mr Cameron said: “So, he has effectively wasted eight years being timid and not reforming education properly and only now, at the twilight of his premiership, is he actually taking steps that we pressed him to take for so long.

“It is going to be a serious concern whether they can really introduce these reforms. However, we have consistently called for greater school autonomy, choice for parents, and rigour. We will support Tony Blair against both his front benchers and back benchers if he is true to his words.”

However, Liberal Democrats education spokesperson, Edward Davey said that the plans would create “chaos and greater unfairness”. He said: “Labour is paying lip service to the ideas of local authorities as champions of children, while removing their ability to manage the fair allocation of school places.

“Schools need more freedom from Whitehall, not just from the town hall. Smaller classes, better-trained teachers and a more relevant curriculum should be the priorities for improving standards in secondary education.

“After eight years of meddling, schools are faced with yet more uncertainty with no guarantee that these new plans will remain when Tony Blair steps down.”

(KMcA/SP)