THE GOVERNMENT is frustrated that parents are not opting for grant maintained status. So now they are passing more legislation to make opt outs compulsory in certain circumstances.
The Tory election manifesto is likely to contain proposals for all schools to become self governing, an increase in selection and for compulsory education to end at 14.
Meanwhile the Tories continue to create a smokescreen, blaming teachers and Labour local authorities for failing standards in order to cover for their own inadequate researching The project of the Tory right is to return to the dark ages of education in which those who can afford to pay will receive the best on offer.
Clarke claimed to be giving council's an 'extra" £774 million for education. But many councils were already over their Through the Welfare State Network and campaigns like FACE, these attacks can be stopped allocation to avoid cuts in schools budgets.
The nett result is small.
A survey by the Times Education Supplement found that more than a quarter BET DON THE CUTS Make the Tories pay •FIGHT BACK of all education authorities are planning to cut spending, and a third standing still.
A third of authorities expect to cut teaching jobs, and almost half expected to TOP axe other education jobs.
There are now 10,000 fewer teachers than in 1993, but 14,000 more pupils.
Over a million children are being taught in classes of more than thirty.
Instead of challenging the Tories Labour Party policy on education has collapsed. It is hard to tell the two parties apart.
Shadow spokesperson David Blunkett says that a Labour government will crack down on failing schools and sack teachers who do not come up to scratch.
Two weeks ago he announced that student grants would be abolished and replaced with a system of loans. University vice chancellors are now toying with the idea of a £300 flat-rate registration fee.
Education is yet another area in which Labour seems hell-bent on out-doing the Tories and shredding the safety net of the welfare state.
Through the Welfare State Network and campaigns like FACE, these attacks can be resisted. • Contact Fight Cuts in Education, co St Giles Middle School, Hayes Lane, Exall, Coventry CV7 9NS