ASCL comment on EPI analysis of education manifestos

Commenting on the analysis by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) of the political parties’ education plans, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The analysis by the Education Policy Institute shows that we need a national strategy on education which is underpinned by evidence and which sets out key priorities with realistic timescales and costings attached. 

“The election manifestos are a pick and mix of policies delivered with the customary rhetoric of claim and counter-claim. There are good ideas, questionable ideas, and, in the case of the Conservative manifesto, something of a policy vacuum. What we lack is a benchmark against which policy plans can be assessed. 

“Whoever wins the General Election should commission the development of a national strategy based on evidence and co-constructed by government, education and industry.”