By Dr Brian Iddon MP for Bolton South-east IT'S a shame that publication of the Education White Paper -- Schools Achieving Success -- hit the media with the focus on the word privatisation.

In fact this document is about extending the improvements in standards that have been made in primary school education into the secondary sector.

This will involve continued capital investment on school buildings, from £683m in 1996/97 to £3.5b by 2003/04. Currently the Government is investing annually five per cent above the rate of inflation on education.

All secondary schools will be encouraged to build on their strengths, and those with special status will be encouraged to raise standards in neighbouring schools.

Teachers from Little Lever Language College, for example, help to inspire the teaching of foreign languages in their feeder primary schools, engage the neighbouring adult community in learning a foreign language, and help raise the standards of language teaching in other Bolton secondary schools.

It is expected that the secondary school curriculum will become more flexible, particularly to allow children to follow vocational as well as academic studies, with GCSE's in vocational studies. Pupils will be made aware of their civic responsibilities and meet those who work in industry, commerce and further or higher education in order to prepare them for the outside world. I do have a concern about the pledge to extend the number of faith schools. The Government cannot refuse to fund quality Muslim schools while schools are funded by the State for other faiths. However, society has to provide a mechanism for integration of communities rather their isolation or even segregation.

There is a recognition in this White Paper that special help should not only be given to pupils with learning difficulties, but also to gifted children.

All Local Education Authorities will be expected to provide Pupil Referral Units for excluded pupils and individual schools will be encouraged to set up Learning Support Units. There is a recognition, too, of the important roles that not only teachers play but also support staff and school governors. I feel confident that the staff and governors of schools will have the good sense to take this agenda forward and ensure that theirs is not a failing school or one with overt involvement from the worlds of industry and commerce.

My new web site is www.brianiddonmp.org.uk. Advice surgeries are held on the first Saturday of each month at Farnworth Town Hall (from 10.30am -- carpark entrance) and the third Friday at Bolton Town Hall (from 4.30pm). Ring Karen for further advice on 371202.