Responding to analysis from the Education Policy Institute (EPI),
which looks at the plans for education set out in the manifestos
of the main political parties in England, Pepe Di'Iasio, General
Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:
“As this comprehensive analysis makes clear, while there are some
good education policies contained within these manifestos that
can make a real difference to the lives of children and young
people, there remain some big unanswered questions as well. There
is no bigger question mark than on school and college funding,
and the lack of commitment to improving this by Labour and the
Conservatives is very disappointing. Maintaining the status quo,
with so many schools and colleges having to run in-year deficit
budgets, is just not acceptable.
“It is always the most vulnerable pupils that suffer most through
lack of funding for education. No progress is being made on
closing the disadvantage gap, while the SEND system is in crisis
with schools and colleges struggling to afford the cost of
support and local authorities running up huge deficits. Improved
funding is urgently needed to ease the immediate pressures
together with a greater focus on developing more specialist
support for early intervention.
“The next government has the opportunity to right some of the
wrongs of the past and ensure that schools and colleges have
adequate resources to recruit the staff they need, maintain their
buildings, and continue providing the best possible support to
all their pupils. But school and college leaders are clear that,
as a result of insufficient funding, they currently face being
forced to increase class sizes and make cuts to staffing and
their curriculum offer.
“Strengthening the economy is an aim shared by all political
parties, but this can only happen with an education system that
is appropriately resourced. Our hope is that whoever forms the
next government recognises the need to invest in education for
the benefit of the whole country.”
