UNDER the Tories, class sizes got bigger and bigger. They increased by record levels - over 40pc between 1992 and 1997. Labour inherited over 470,000 infant school pupils in classes of more than 30.
By September next year there will be fewer than 200,000 children in infant classes over 30. That means that over 270,000 infant pupils have benefited from our policy since May 1997. Over 1500 extra teachers have already been employed and 600 additional classrooms have been built. From this September and extra £150m means 2,500 extra teachers and over a thousand new classrooms at popular schools. Over 1500 schools will be able to take in extra pupils. It means that Labour is on track to deliver its promise to the British people to reduce class sizes earlier than promised.
In May the British people will be asked to vote in council elections up and down the country. They should remember that it is a Labour Government that is delivering real change in our schools - change which the Tories failed to do in 18 years of Government.
Cllr Paul Fitzpatrick
Everbrom Road, Over Hulton
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article