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07/10/2003
Tory 'school's passport' offers parents 'greater say'
The Conservatives have unveiled plans to give parents a "greater say" in choosing schools for their children at their party's conference in Blackpool.
The Shadow Education Secretary Damian Green announced plans today to allow parents to "spend" the amount allocated on their child's education on the school of their choice. Mr Green said the "better schools passport" plan would "revolutionise" the school system.
He told the conference: "Quite simply, these passports will give the money that the state spends on their child's education to the parents and let them decide in which school it should be spent. It will be a passport to a better school for all children. It will offer a radical extension of school choice. It will allow all children to aspire to an excellent education."
Parents would also be given the chance to set up particular types of school in their areas, Mr Green also told the conference. For example, new grammar schools could be established to provide "a ladder out of deprivation for thousands of children".
Mr Green also renewed the Conservative pledge to scrap tuition fees and make university entry subject to "the ability to learn not the ability to pay".
"Education used to be regarded by the pundits as a Labour issue, well no more," he said.
Parents will be given a greater say in choosing schools for their children under Conservative plans unveiled at Party Conference in Blackpool.
(gmcg)
The Shadow Education Secretary Damian Green announced plans today to allow parents to "spend" the amount allocated on their child's education on the school of their choice. Mr Green said the "better schools passport" plan would "revolutionise" the school system.
He told the conference: "Quite simply, these passports will give the money that the state spends on their child's education to the parents and let them decide in which school it should be spent. It will be a passport to a better school for all children. It will offer a radical extension of school choice. It will allow all children to aspire to an excellent education."
Parents would also be given the chance to set up particular types of school in their areas, Mr Green also told the conference. For example, new grammar schools could be established to provide "a ladder out of deprivation for thousands of children".
Mr Green also renewed the Conservative pledge to scrap tuition fees and make university entry subject to "the ability to learn not the ability to pay".
"Education used to be regarded by the pundits as a Labour issue, well no more," he said.
Parents will be given a greater say in choosing schools for their children under Conservative plans unveiled at Party Conference in Blackpool.
(gmcg)
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