Who do you support on education?

Labour has presented plans to fund massive rebuilding and refurbishment of primary schools as part of its focus on education.

Tony Blair and Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said it was the only party focusing on the "fundamentals", criticising Tory proposals to offer parents a virtual education "voucher".

The Conservatives have attacked Labour over truancy rates and the Lib Dems say they will boost specialised teaching.

What do you think of the Labour's proposals? Which party has the best ideas for education? What would you like to see happen in schools? Send us your views.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments. You can read a selection of them below.

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I am sick of seeing hundreds of millions wasted on education providing computers in schools Stuart, Lincoln, UK

Personally I am sick of seeing hundreds of millions wasted on education providing computers in schools. They are not the answer. Give the teachers some real power to make these kids shut up, sit down and listen. It would be quite simple to implement, wouldn't cost any money. Just sit back and watch the A-C rate soar.
Stuart, Lincoln, UK

I write as one who has taught A-level and now teaches university students. The A-level students I taught worked hard and deserved good grades but they wanted to be spoon fed in order to gain those grades and the exams allow this to happen. Now that I teach in a university I see many students still want to be spoon fed and lack initiative, or confidence in their own ideas. This isn't their fault but the result of the current A level exam. The standard of literacy could be improved by reintroducing Latin into the school curriculum. It is the only way students really get to understand the principles of grammar and syntax.
Margaret, Southam, Warwickshire

As a long standing chairman of governors of a large primary school I cannot condemn enough the constant interference by this Labour government. It believes that the profession is incapable of educating our children when in fact it is the ever changing priorities and dictats that disrupt the delivery of high quality education from the true professionals, the teachers in the classroom.
Roger Parkes, Paddock Wood, Kent

It's wonderful that so many children are getting A's at GCSE. Now ask the real question, what does it take to get an A? Last year it took as little as 45% and 16% to get a C. The education system is a joke. I suspect this has everything to do with meeting targets, at the expense or 'real' learning. More New Labour illusions.
Anthony, UK

Having just come through the education system, I can tell you discipline is a big issue that's got worse under Mr Blair. Also political correctness is throughout the curriculum.
Debbie Hall, Manchester, England

We in Worcs want a level playing field on educational funding Jonathan Pearsall, Worcester, Worcestershire

Tony Blair quotes education, education, education. We in Worcs are a poorly funded LEA, yet we have been singled out as providing first class education, just think what we could do if we in Worcs received £534 per pupil extra, to put us in line with the national average (around £10m for the county). We provide good education on the cheap. We in Worcs want a level playing field on educational funding, I don't care what colour party rule the roost, I do care that my children and all the children of Worcs have a fair deal.
Jonathan Pearsall, Worcester, Worcestershire

Conservatives have the right idea, Labour have reduced our education system to a joke. Bring back discipline.
Charles, Mansfield, Notts, England

Investment in education is obvious, whether they can do anything about the blackboard jungle is doubtful as society is at fault as much as government for removing discipline.
Jack Flowers, Morden

All the parties at present are adopting a similar stance whereby society is told it needs more and more education until it is coming out of our ears. It may be politically correct to adopt this approach, but is anyone asking whether the public is getting value for money? At a time when most people are suffering financially as a result of never-ending increases in council tax, I believe this is a very pertinent question. I would ask, do we need kids in school five days a week, couldn't they do less? Are some subjects really necessary? Couldn't more time be spent outdoors and playing, which recent studies have shown is more beneficial in the long run. Locking kids into school buildings for longer and longer days, all at great expense to the council taxpayer is not the answer.
Alistair Laing, Inverbervie, UK

The Tories bleat on about discipline, but it's the policy of parental choice (which they introduced) that, at least in part, leads to indiscipline. If children and teenagers went to school in their own communities, there would be more pressures to behave.
Alister, London, UK

Education should be removed from the meddling of politicians Clive, Birmingham

Education should be removed from the meddling of politicians, like the bank of England which seems to be doing well. Then again just about everything would be improved if it were removed from the influence of politicians who would be hard pressed to get a job in the real world.
Clive, Birmingham

Education, education, education - this rhetorical device won support in 1997. Eight years later we need discipline, discipline, discipline and what we've got is targets, targets and more targets. Labour have prevented exclusion from school taking money away from a school for every excluded child - some schools get worse whilst others get better - this is not being a fair government based on equality.
Stuart Boon, Coventry

To Darren, Maidstone who has left school with 11 A* GCSEs; well done. But please don't thank any members of the Labour government for your excellent grades. You get good grades for working hard and paying attention in class. Unless Tony Blair sat with you every day and helped you with your homework, he had no part whatsoever in your grades. Give the praise to your teachers and parents for their support, encouragement and knowledge.
Jenny, Gloucester

I think that the Lib dems swing it for me. However, my one concern is if they should win the election and carry out their education proposals and scrap the Top-up fees for students, will this mean that more 'affluent' students will be given priority over those from 'low income' households? Some universities have already stated that even with the existing 'Top-up fees' in place, they are struggling financially. So, where will the funding come to justify their proposed Education policy?
Mrs Beverley Ann Coxhead, Cirencester, UK

I think that the education policy to get 80% of students to university is ludicrous Kathryn Waller, Derby

I think that the education policy to get 80% of students to university is ludicrous. It devalues the degree system, and not all students are capable for that. We need a more flexible education system, which will engage the needs of the students, not just meet targets.
Kathryn Waller, Derby

Replace A-levels with a Baccalaureate. This will provide a consistent standard which governments and competing exam boards will find much harder to 'dumb down'.
Ken Ricketts, Wokingham, UK

It is a bit of a joke for Labour to present their school rebuilding program because many schools built or extended in the 1960s and 1970s are falling down and would need repairs or rebuilding anyway. Vouchers would only work if they could also be spent in the independent sector. This would encourage new independent schools to be founded.
Martin Husbands, Monmouth, Wales

My children have done very well in a newly refurbished school, courtesy of Labour funding. I dread to think what would happen under the Tories. The task of rescuing education from the Tories has been like turning round a super tanker - gradual. The results, however, are impressive in such a relatively short time. I also think the great early intervention role of Sure Start will have a profound long term effect on discipline in schools. I say let Labour complete the task.
Deejay, Maidstone, UK

The Labour party has had eight years to do this - remember Education, Education, Education? We have messed about with our kids' education to such a degree that it would take someone really special to be able to put it right.
Lynn, Herts UK

My children have received an excellent education under the Labour government GC, Mids

My children have received an excellent education under the Labour Government. They attend a comprehensive school which encourages the children to do their best whatever their talents may be. So well done Labour and continue the good work.
GC, Mids

Labour seem to focus just on schools, whilst placing a heavy burden on university students with their top-up fees. It just goes to show that with Blair spouting 'education, education, education', it is all a bunch of lies.
Waiching Liu, London

Education is an enormous issue to tackle. This is why I support the Labour view of focusing on nursery places, and primary schools. The only way to tackle something this size is to start at the beginning and work upwards. Another term will see them focus on secondary education.
Chris Clarke, Loughborough

Although the Government have put extra money into schools it hasn't actually gone there. The LEAs have used most of the money to increase their staff and office space. The grant maintained system seemed to be the best idea where the money went direct to the schools, a fact confirmed by the PM and his Cabinet most of whom sent their children to GM or selective schools, a choice they would deny ordinary people like myself.
Chris Gouldson, Trowbridge

The only party that is completely wrong about education is Labour Stuart Prince, Bristol, UK

The Tories are right about the fundamental need for discipline, and the Lib Dems are right about everything else. The only party that is completely wrong about education is Labour. As part of my job over the years I've taught and marked at universities. Every year the standards go down and the students are getting dumber and dumber. Now they can barely even do maths or English when they arrive, and are only at university because their parents are rich. The entire education system, from primary school right up to university, is a total shambles. But apparently it suits Labour voters, and that's why we're stuck with it.
Stuart Prince, Bristol, UK

Labour are obviously unable to stand by what they've done over the last eight years. If they have all these big plans why aren't they already in place? The reason is that this is yet another election promise that they're lying about.
David, Halesowen, England

Bring back O levels and scrap the national curriculum. What is wrong with elitism and enabling children to specialise and therefore excel at what they are good at? 20 years ago we had the best education system in the world. Now our graduates are innumerate and illiterate.
Sally, Sheffield

Why should youngsters believe Gordon Brown when he encourages them to learn science and technology and go into business? If they go down that very risky route their working lives will only be 25 years at most as newer industries replace the old. On the other hand if, they learn politics and economics and become a civil servant you have a job for life and a copper bottomed pension.
Bill, UK

The basic problem that I see and remember is that the 'taught' subject matters are, for many, boring and pointless. Money is wasted on vast resources to educate the young on subjects they don't care about. We should offer vocational training from an early age. At least it could be relevant.
Barry Hotchin, Warrington

Tony Blair and New Labour have done nothing for children in Worcs. Thanks to him, the cash gap deficit between the Worcestershire payment and English average has more than doubled in the last eight years from £200 less per child per year in 1997 (not great by any stretch of the imagination) to a whopping £534 per child per year less now (what a disgrace for a party with an education, education, education pledge). It all depends on where you live Mr Blair, as you well know.
Helen Donovan, Evesham, Worcs

The parties are all simply using education as a football Brian Hawkins, Woodbridge, Suffolk

The parties are all simply using education as a football. The word reform is used like confetti. They should all leave schools alone, let them develop and then evaluate, not continually change never finished initiatives
Brian Hawkins, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Comprehensive education, for which we may now read 'teaching to the lowest common denominator', gives no one the encouragement to excel. Of course, that's fine, since anyone can have a university education regardless of whether they have excelled at school.
Marcus, Cambridge

I'm not buying any of this 'smaller class size' nonsense. When my grandparents were at school the average class size was 50, and my Granddad still came out with better grades than I got at GCSE! The only thing that held their class together was discipline and respect for the teachers, something which the vast majority of my generation, nor their parents don't have.
Amy (age 20), Shiplake, UK

The Labour government relies on uneducated people for votes. Anyone who can add up well enough to understand negative numbers and read well enough to actually get through their manifesto would laugh at the thought of voting for them.
Dug, London England

I'd like to see more power given to teachers Anonymous, UK

I think Labour did good things for education; starting homework, literacy and numeracy classes. I'd like to see more power given to teachers and unruly children expelled or transferred to a stricter section where they can be disciplined better. I'd like my children to have Bible studies at school to have a moral upbringing.
Anonymous, UK

My husband and his cousin were brought up in Deptford, were very poor but went to grammar schools. One became a director of finance, the other a renowned professor and surgeon. Grammar schools benefited the poor and underprivileged. Now you have to be rich to go to a similar school. The Tories should reintroduce them.
Christine Heath, Forest Hill

I would have thought teachers and governors have the best ideas for education.
Kathy Pearson, Plymtree, Devon

Three schools in my immediate neighbourhood have been practically rebuilt Glen, Welling, UK

Yes, Labour have poured money into the education system. Three schools in my immediate neighbourhood have been practically rebuilt. I should say "Well done", but I can't. A few months ago there was a riot in one of the new schools. The children smashed up one of the halls and rampaged into the surrounding streets. Police were called and arrests were made; parents then refused to allow their children back into school until something was done about the situation. Six children were excluded. No amount of money will resolve that situation, but being able to restrain children without being sued will.
Glen, Welling, UK

The responsibility for discipline lies with parents - no one else. For politicians to promise that they can improve discipline is ludicrous. We have no discipline problems at the primary school where I am a governor. Parents are supportive of the ethos of the school and if any pupil has an inclination to misbehave, peer pressure invariably prevents bad behaviour developing.
Dennis, Kent

I am a Training Advisor for a very large multinational company and as such visit schools regularly and vet application forms for employment. The standard I see is alarming. Discipline is almost non existent in so many schools. Teachers look on with despair and can often do nothing! Standards have been dumbed down to a ridiculous level where one can no longer be impressed with "what appear to be high grade passes", spelling is atrocious and grammar non existent in so many cases.
Ian, Southampton

The Labour government have wasted a fortune meddling with education PT, London

The Labour government have wasted a fortune meddling with education. Vote them out before they can waste any more of our hard earned money.
PT, London

This government has introduced funding specifically for gifted children and has recognised that they need help in achieving their full potential. A pity that some schools have seen fit to divert the funds elsewhere.
Julie, UK

I am a student who is just leaving my school and I have seen standards rise over the past eight years. Labour have done well on education and I would like to say thank you Mr Blair because I have 11 A* GCSEs thanks to Mr Blair and his government. Well Done!
Darren, Maidstone

What is disgusting and hypocritical is for Tony Blair not to send his children to private schools. The Blairs have an income way above most other people, many of whom, like me, pay for private education because we want our children to have a good education in a disciplined environment. We are treated as contemptible by Labour, because we spend money on education rather than new cars and holidays and bigger mortgages, while the Blairs get the cream of the state schools for their own children for free.
Anonymous, Manchester

We need some common sense and proper teaching Tony Emmerson, London, UK

As a teacher I believe the only way to save education is to restore high expectations and traditional values. Hitting a target is meaningless if that target is a woeful standard. We need some common sense and proper teaching. So far only the Conservatives are standing up for this.
Tony Emmerson, London, UK

How are we supposed to choose when all the parties promise the same thing? They all promise smaller classes, more teachers, higher standards, more choice and that they will not have to raise taxes to pay for it.
Richard Read, London, UK

Labour policy is simply reducing educational standards, creating unruly schools with a drug and violence culture. It is failing. It is a known fact that mobility rates amongst the current generation is now lower than the 1950s generation. It is because youngsters are not being sufficiently equipped for the modern world.
Scott, B'ham, UK

I think Labour have the best ideas when it boils down to education, though I am concerned with how they deal with schools achieving poor exam results. Surely it would make more sense to increase funding to these schools in order for them to make the necessary improvements, rather than cut it as Labour are doing?
Andy, England

In schools things are unlikely to get much worse Gus Eldridge, Norwich

It shouldn't be too hard to move forward under New Labour. In schools things are unlikely to get much worse. All the other students mistreat the teacher and prevent me and my friends from working adequately. I would like to go to another school where teachers are encouraged to work, not deterred. However at the minute we do not get that choice. As I cannot vote please vote Conservative on our behalf.
Gus Eldridge, Norwich

If education is left to a Labour Government god help us all. We need an education system that develops and encourages talent to rise to the surface that stimulates others to try to follow them. At the moment, education, education, education has produced a dumbed down system where everyone is a winner. This is not reality, its cloud cuckoo land. I believe that this is a strategy of the left to produce a massive percentage of the population that will rely on a Labour government for state benefits and state jobs. What a future to behold!
Mike, Hove, England

It's a disgrace the way universities have been opened up to those who only have little academic capability. The poor kids have been fooled into thinking that they have a better chance of success with a degree in mediocrity.
Trevor, Colchester, UK

I am going to give my full support to the party that can give teachers greater support. Discipline is a major issue in modern schooling - whoever is voted in, lets hope they can help teachers to get on with teaching rather than just keeping the peace!
Natalie, Cheshire

Conservative plans for tighter discipline are long overdue Neil, Skye, Scotland

I am still at school so I know what it is like. Conservative plans for tighter discipline are long overdue. Head teachers are not even allowed to expel disruptive pupils any more! The whole system is getting out of control and needs sorting out.
Neil, Skye, Scotland

Education should be run in the same way as the bank of England (partially independent with some accountability). It is far too important, and too much depends on education to be left to politicians alone to run.
Nathan James, Liverpool

We now have the perfect non-discriminatory education system - entry to university is no longer based on sex, religion, race...or ability! Until the silly target of 50% of students going to university is removed in favour of a demand led initiative, the entire education system will be aimed at target satisfaction, not ensuring students have a decent education.
Jim Spriggs, London

The Labour policy on Education seems to consist of class hatred, dumbing down and a small-minded attack on grammar schools. They need to grow up, throw off their daily worker mentality and do what is best for the kids and the country, rather than what plays best with the old socialist dinosaurs on the back benches.
Andy, Cheshire

I'd like to see schools concentrate on real "education" as opposed to cramming for exams. I have spent 3 years living in Germany and the level of cultural education (i.e. classical literature, philosophy, history, music and art) of schoolchildren on the continent puts us to shame. The general consensus in the UK seems to be that education is a mere means to an end, at best a path into a flashy job in marketing that can finance a huge mortgage and a sports car. I think it's sad that we don't view it as a worthy pursuit in itself, a way to nurture cultured and open-minded citizens.
Angela Teevin, Singapore (ex-UK)

As an employer, I just see the end product of what comes out of the education system and over the last 5 years the standards have really dropped away. I don't know what people are being taught these days but it's either totally irrelevant or they have memories like goldfish. Politics has always held back education and this government seems to be excelling at this and producing a generation of under-achievers for a massive amount of investment. A great shame for our youth who deserve better.
Simon, London

Those children who get support from parents will achieve Hugh Mcginn, Bolton

Schools are only as good as the parents of the children attending any school. Those children who get support from parents will achieve. Most of those who do not get support will not achieve. Parents are 100% responsible for the behaviour of their children at school, no-one else.
Hugh Mcginn, Bolton

Whilst I am happy to support fundraising initiatives for my daughter's primary school it does make me more than a little concerned that the purposes for which this additional money raised is being used should already be paid for out of general taxation. It seems to me that I am contributing twice to my daughter's education.
Peter, Evesham

Labour may criticise the Tory 'voucher' system, but if this voucher gave my children the right to go to the same schools that some members of this government send theirs, now that is fair for all.
Stephen A, Essex

The education system has been systematically dismantled by the Labour Party by the devaluation of the academic base subjects that this country needs to survive. There are closures of science departments and the proliferation of media studies and the like. We have a policy of "style over substance" and if this government remains in office or New Labour's policies are allowed to continue, the bubble will burst.
S, Kent

I would like to see more teachers with other career experience encouraged into the system Alan, Birmingham

I left school five years ago. The best teachers I ever had were those who had worked in other industries and then turned to teaching. I found them to have a much more practical and effective approach to teaching and treating each child as an individual based on their ability rather than a 'let's get everyone through whatever' attitude to meet targets. I would like to see more teachers with other career experience encouraged into the system.
Alan, Birmingham

I went to a grammar school, which has now become a comprehensive and dropped out of the top 1000 in the league tables from the top 20. I will be finding the money to send my children to private school as I have lost all faith in this government's approach - education, education, education - a joke.
Adam, Midlands

What's the point of Labour having a policy on education? In 1991 they said they wouldn't introduce tuition fees.
Mark, Aylesbury, Bucks

Selfish though this is if tuition fees are abolished then all students since 1998/1999 should have their fees refunded. Why should this small group of individuals be disadvantaged when those either side get the same for less? I'm against tuition fees but I don't want to be relatively disadvantaged because the rules change mid-game!
GV, London, UK

As a teacher I know there is definitely more money coming into schools under Labour and it is helping. Where Labour are on the wrong track is in wanting to put parents more in the driving seat. Teachers are the trained professionals here and parents and governors are often a bunch of well meaning amateurs, many of whom only see the school in the context of their own child and not of all the children there.
Chris, Surrey, UK

Let students and teachers get on with education Adrian Cannon, Edinburgh, Scotland

Let's stop chopping and changing and let students and teachers get on with education. The vast majority will then get the results they deserve and we can help those who have problems. As for universities abolish tuition fees and up the top rate of tax as graduates will end up in that tax bracket.
Adrian Cannon, Edinburgh, Scotland

As a soon to be student teacher I hope all the parties will listen to teachers more. The policy of inclusion for children who constantly disrupt classes is not fair on the children/young people who want to work. How can it be allowed that 1 or 2 children in the class disrupt the education of the other 20+ children? The research out this week which indicates that 'poorer' children are finding it harder to move up in life is a clear indication that something is wrong. Stop pandering to the thugs and wasters give the decent kids a chance.
Sandra Smith, Nottingham

New school buildings are all well and good, but what is the point of them when 20%of 11 year olds cannot read or write properly after eight years of education, education, education. Talking about providing opportunity for all is all well and good, but it is the closure of grammar schools and the abolition of the assisted places scheme which has reduced social mobility for the poor and gifted. When state provision has so clearly failed millions of children, what is so wrong about allowing independent schools to provide free education under a voucher system?
Tom, London

Good idea promising more teachers. But where are the classrooms going to come from?
Sam Pritchard, Newbury, Berkshire

I write as a governor of a primary school. We have had to build and equip an IT suite as instructed by Ofsted, employ extra staff to cover for non-classroom time now required for teachers and attend a number of ridiculous, expensive and time wasting courses. The only way we can balance the school budget is to cut back on books and rely on fundraising. Schools budgets are under severe pressure and our children's education is suffering.
Andy Anderson, Banbury

Discipline in schools is ultimately in the hands of parents Peter Corcut, Brighton

Discipline in schools is ultimately in the hands of parents. Governments cannot impose discipline. Schools can require standards of behaviour but without the support of parents they will have difficulty imposing those standards successfully. It is a mistake to believe that politicians, of whatever party, can change the nature of society. They can only provide a framework through the law.
Peter Corcut, Brighton

State schools will never be as good as private schools as long as ill discipline prevents kids learning.
Ahmed Khan, Leicester

The Lib Dems promise us 21,000 extra teachers. I'm a primary school head and would love class sizes down to 20 or 25, but for that, my school would need three extra classrooms. Has that been costed into the sums?
Alister Gourlay, Woodbridge

I support those people who are 'user choosers' on education Barbara, Kent, UK

I support those people who are 'user choosers' on education. Where do the candidates choose to send their children? Anyone who chooses private education for their own children can NOT have the same vested interest in state education as someone who chooses to use state schools for their own children.
Barbara, Kent, UK

What are the proposals on university tuition fees? When Labour forced through the tuition fees last year, they said they wouldn't change during the period of the next parliament. That means they could bring in proposals during this coming parliament for implementation in 2010/2011. What will these be? With a daughter likely to go to university in 2011, I'd like to know how much of the 50% left after tax, NI and pension contributions I need to set aside.
James, Hampshire

Lib Dem education policy is clear, credible, far-sighted and emphasises the central importance of adequate funding to improve the quality of education.
Sweeney, Newcastle upon Tyne

The Lib Dems' scrapping of tuition fees is good, replacing GCSE and A levels for a diploma system is good, more money for primary education is good and for colleges too. Labour says the policies are to expensive but they have introduced them in Scotland. The Tories want to scrap fees too but they fail to tell students like myself that we will have to pay high interest on loans to pay for it!
Chris Bird, Staffs

Scrap the target culture that has been abused to allow Labour to claim 'success' BM, England

Scrap the target culture that has been abused to allow Labour to claim 'success'. It is no wonder that exams have been dumbed down and less science subjects are taken. The schools can't/won't promote them for fear of meeting some government target to make THEM look good. This ignores the whole concept of education.
BM, England

A good Lib Dem policy. All I need to remember is that the Conservatives do not care about education for the normal public as long as taxes are low enough for the rich so that their children are educated in elitist public schools.
Joe, Basingstoke

Removing university fees is imperative. When I got my degree I had a grant and no fees. If either of them had not existed. given my poor background, I could not have afforded to go, would not now be earning in excess of £40,000, and would not be contributing so much to the tax system. This country needs to identify the top 10% of students and fund their education. Industry will pay a premium for these graduates, and their tax bills will more than pay for it all. Lib Dems have my vote.
CS, Glos

The Tory plan to introduce more faith schools is frightening. Mr Howard is obviously fully unaware that these faith schools are the same that breed Christian, Islamic and Jewish extremism, directly through education or indirectly through peers.
Darryl LeCount, Paderborn, Germany

Tory. Normal UK citizens are deserting the cities to escape from schools infested by crimes in inner cities. Let Labour in again and they will smear crime across the country. This country will then be a third world country in five years time.
Terry Johnsom, UK

The Lib Dems are in the happy position of being able to promise anything, safe in the knowledge that they will never be asked to deliver.
Colin, Kingston, Surrey

The economy needs more people with the sort of skills taught by local colleges David, York, UK

The economy needs more people with the sort of skills taught by local colleges. Why are none of the parties is making this a big issue? Labour is promising to renew all school buildings over the next 10 or 15 years, but has made no promises about colleges. The Conservatives and Lib Dems don't seem to have much to say on this either. Wouldn't it be good if - just for once - they talked about schools, universities AND colleges?
David, York, UK

Please remember that it was the Tories under Margaret Thatcher who undermined teachers to the extent that no one had any respect for them, imposed the national curriculum without any real teacher consultation and sold off valuable assets from schools such as playing fields and fine buildings. 18 years in power and still they made a mess of it!
Derek, Hatfield, Herts

Tories, because with discipline in schools comes improvement in educational standards.
Oscar, Daggenham, Essex

Once more, the Lib Dems show that they are by far the most original thinkers in the UK parliament.
Steve, Melbourne, Australia

I'd like to see a bit more balance in education. Instead of teachers focusing on getting every child to a similar level for the purpose of showing how good our schools are, how about them enabling children to show how bright and skilful they can be for the purpose of creating an innovative and intelligent workforce for the future.
Sarah Franklin, Stirling

There is nothing wrong with tuition fees, what should be in place are bursaries and scholarships for people doing courses that help the national cause Dave G, Hereford UK

There is nothing wrong with tuition fees, what should be in place are bursaries and scholarships for people doing courses that help the national cause - both practical and academic, those who wish to do more obscure courses should do so at their own cost, not the tax payers.
Dave G, Hereford UK

I would like to see people read books. In essence that is the future x
Rogan, Leeds

We need more secondary school teachers, not primary school teachers. There is such a shortage of secondary teachers that they have one of the lowest unemployment rates of any profession, but there are too many primary teachers - there are more of them than there are jobs for them. The rate of unemployment in primary teachers can be up to 25% because of this. I like the idea of 21,000 more teachers but it would be better if they were secondary school teachers, not primary. Not a bad idea, Mr Kennedy, but missing the point a bit.
Helen, UK

I don't trust any of them really. Bring back discipline to the teachers (to do something about the lack of respect in schools), re-introduce vocational subjects (so that those children who aren't naturally academic can display their skills in different ways), bring back grading of exams that actually reflect who are the cream (not everybody should get A grades) and finally we won't be any better off as a country if we all have degrees.
Clive, Woking

I would have more sympathy with Mr Kennedy if he had said "The more time a parent spends with a child the better the chances for that child". This government has spent its whole time engineering policies to help parents who want to avoid their parental responsibilities and then we all wonder why teachers report that children's general level of behaviour is so poor. My wife and I have had six children and we have stood the financial pain and strain of bringing them up ourselves.
Patrick, Honiton, UK

I'm in my fourth year at Cambridge and currently £16,000 in debt, even though I've worked every summer and worked two jobs in my gap year to save up. Where's the incentive for university there? Like it or not, we need graduates to drive this country forward, especially in light of recent events at Rover which show just how bad we are at manufacturing - most of the country's economy is now in the service industries. But how can a 23-year-old like me justify being £16,000 in debt without a job. And don't even get me started on finding the cash for a place to live!
Tom Elliott, Cambridge

The abolition of student fees is a great idea; I would like to go to university but worry about the debts Jessica Druce, UK

I think the abolition of student fees is a great idea; I would like to go to university but worry about the debts. Also any party who achieves discipline in schools will have my vote.
Jessica Druce, UK

An extra 21,000 primary school teachers, where are all the children going to come from? I thought some councils were looking to close schools because of the decline in numbers. After 15 years of taking my children to school and the prospect of a further 10 years until my youngest leaves, my experience is that lack of discipline is a major problem. Discipline has to start at primary school because if it is left by the time the children reach secondary school they are out of control. I'd like to see schools be more caring towards children and teaching children to be kind and caring to others.
Heather, UK

It was the Labour government who gave us the disastrous comprehensive school system, so why believe them now? They're all talk, and won't even let teachers discipline violent yobs, as it's against their human rights.
John, London

For all the extra money the government has given to education we haven't seen a significant improvement. I think it's because the LEA's are using the money to increase their staff and office space, as has happened in Taunton, and not spending it on schools. A return to grant maintained schools is the way. Tony Blair thought it was good enough to "ditch" his opposition to these schools for the sake of his own children! I also disagree with the imposition of University fees, only for the English & Welsh, effectively privatising education.
Chris Gouldson, Trowbridge

Blair has failed our children, let's see if the Tories can right the wrong Karen Smith, London

I would support the Tories. As a governor of two schools I have seen investment in current schools drop. Superficially more money is being spent, but then, as with everything, prices have gone up and money doesn't go as far. Whilst there is money being spent on new schools I would like to see equal resources being ploughed into existing ones. 'Look, we've built new schools' looks good on paper, but failing the existing ones is unacceptable. Blair has failed our children, let's see if the Tories can right the wrong.
Karen Smith, London

The Conservatives show themselves up, yet again, as a non caring party by emphasising punishments instead of tackling the cause. On Jamie's School Dinners it was noted that behaviour and concentration dramatically improved as a result of the improved nutrition. If such a simple measure is so effective, why is it that the only policy the conservatives can come up with is more exclusions and punishments? The Liberal Democrats come closest to my thoughts.
Paul Farrar, Fareham

No amount of fancy ideas from Labour will make any difference until teachers are given back the power of discipline. Haven't we had enough of the airy-fairy liberal ideas that have given us knifings, drugs and violence against teachers?
Joe H, Cheshire

The system is still full of bad teachers (some good ones too). Return teaching to its professional status, with matching salaries, but make gaining a teaching qualification harder with meaningful inspection/appraisals. Like hospitals, look at other ways of achieving the principle "free education for all". This doesn't mean the state has to own all the building and employ all the staff.
Dave G, Hereford, UK

The CBI and Arts Council should be identifying where our 'skills shortages' are and the curriculum should reflect that in some way, not forgetting that education should have a wider (social) remit too.
Dave G, Hereford

After two terms in office it is a bit late for the Labour Party to offer solutions to the state of the UK Education. Why are there no more engineers; why have Grades in examinations been devalued; where has all the extra money gone?
Peter Varnish, Hampshire

Any party who got rid of the administrative oversight and let us get on with our job would get my vote Steve, Glasgow

As a university lecturer, I see the consequences of poor primary and secondary education and I don't believe it is the fault of the schools/teachers. Even tertiary education is full of administrative time wasting activities such as QAA and RAE and I'm sure this is the case right across the education sector. Any party who got rid of the administrative oversight and let us get on with our job would get my vote.
Steve, Glasgow

I support the Tory's education policies. They would take back control of our education from the politicians and give it to those who know better: teachers, and let parents choose the type of education they think is best for there child.
Jack Stone, Southend on Sea.

In the last 8 years the literacy of our 11 year olds has improved (17% according to the Education Select Committee are still at an unacceptably low level, but this compares to 33% in 1997). Exam results have improved. There has been significant new investment in my village primary school, and in the local comprehensive school. Those who glibly use terms like "crisis" or "catastrophe" when describing Labour's record on education would be well advised to consult a dictionary. Personally, I'll vote Labour based on their record.
John, UK

Definitely the Conservatives. I started secondary school at the end of 1996 and left 6th form in 2003 and saw the gradual breakdown in discipline and respect for authority as Labour's time in government progressed. Discipline in our state schools needs to be improved vastly before decent standards of teaching can be reasserted.
Claire Roberts, Kettering, UK

I do agree that tuition fees should be stopped as I am going to university myself in September Vetz, Chesterfield

I agree that pupils should have more time spent on them in class. Many of the pupils in my school were not interested and the teachers spent all of their time trying to discipline them. I do agree that tuition fees should be stopped as I am going to university myself in September.
Vetz, Chesterfield

I'd like to see schools as they were 40 years ago - sifted by exams with possibility of transfer "up" at 13. Labour is for levelling and dumbing down. The Lib Dems are for tinkering and haven't a clue what to do. The Conservatives have been out of it for eight years and are also pretty clueless as to how to undo all the damage done by Labour. "Education, education, education" was just a Blair sound bite and you can't believe a word those tricksters tell us.
David Ball, Wokingham, UK

The Tory stance on discipline in schools on the surface is a good one. However, it doesn't explain how these disruptive pupils will get their education. We do not want an underclass of poorly educated adults. A better stance would be to discipline parents for the bad attitudes of their offspring. More support for teachers from society, less admin, less control and checking and maybe the education system will recover.
john Knight, Portsmouth

Labour have failed education and the Lib Dems are no different Don Collier, Fife

Labour have failed education and the Lib Dems are no different. Unlike the Conservatives neither of them are prepared to recognise that disruptive children are in need of support and different education, even if only until their problems are sorted. More discipline in schools and concentration on the "three Rs" is what is need. Only the Conservatives are offering what is needed
Don Collier, Elie, Fife

Once again the Liberals make all the right noises but there is only one party that will and can deliver a decent education system and that is Labour. Yes, there are problems that have not been sorted out by Labour, but taken overall the choice is clear.
Peter, Keighley, England

I back the Lib Dems, but even they have no radical proposals to shake up secondary education in order to deal with the skills shortage which continues to bedevil the British economy.
Elwyn Jones, Heerlen, Netherlands.

Some comments seem to think discipline in schools is a big problem. Maybe, but my personal experience is the wide divide in quality of teaching. My son's school has some fantastic teachers but unfortunately it also has one teacher who has been failing for five years. So, who to vote for over education? None of them have the answers because they are all theorists. How many of these politicians actually send their children to the average comprehensive? They need to get real and anyone who does so gets my vote.
Lynn, Herts UK

None of Charles Kennedy's well meant reforms will work until discipline is imposed on children who have no interest in learning and disrupt the efforts of those who do. Only the Conservatives have spoken clearly on addressing that problem.
ken, England, UK

I back abolishing tuition fees as I am considering going to university as a mature student Cat, Cambridge, UK

I back abolishing tuition fees as I am considering going to university as a mature student and dread the debt I will getting myself into. Over the three years doing a degree I will have at least £18,000 worth of debt in loans and fees. I would also like to see how the Tories would make students behave better in schools: let's have Michael Howard teach a classroom of bored 15 year olds and see how he does.
Cat, Cambridge, UK

I would like to see corporal punishment restored in schools -discipline is not going to return to our schools until there is some form of an effective deterrent - constantly expelling pupils does not work as many of those expelled don't want to be in school in the first place
Jon, Nottingham

Kenny & Howard will promise the world to get your votes but under a Labour government the sums do add up. I will urge voters to switch their votes to Labour as I will be voting for Labour in this coming general election.
Gordon Lyew, Birmingham

21,000 more teachers? Where from? Are they all in a cupboard at Lib Dem HQ awaiting release if they win the election? Or are all the entry requirements going to be dropped so that we attract a poorer standard of teacher? Make the job more attractive not by throwing money as a bribe to those who might apply, but by making teaching less about paperwork. Also, we should have someone who knows about teaching as education secretary: something Labour sorely lacks.
Gareth, Crawley, West Sussex

The Liberal Democrats have got the best policy on education. My son is four years old and is due to start primary school in September: I want the local school to be a good one, not to be able to choose the best one from a wide area; I want to have smaller classes with qualified teachers; I want to save for my children's future tax free, not be the recipient of a £250 incentive from the government but then only be able to make additional contributions from taxed income. I will be voting Liberal Democrat and hope that they win enough seats to make their policies on education a reality.
Marcus, London, UK

At least the Lib Dems have actually costed their ideas - let's hope they can bring some freshness Neil, London

Abolishing tuition fees, adding more teachers and changing the ever-easier A-Levels to a continental style diploma all sound like great ideas and at least the Lib Dems have actually costed them. Between them, the Tories and Labour have contributed to the state of the current education system, so let's hope the Lib Debs can bring some freshness.
Neil, London

Where does Charles Kennedy expect to put these extra teachers? The cost of building new classrooms and the time it would take makes this unworkable
Derek, Milton Keynes

I back the Tories' tough stance on discipline and unruly pupils. The soft Lib Dems would be a disaster for what's already our soft-touch school system.
Michael Davis, York

The Conservatives' stance on discipline is a good one. Having gone to a comprehensive myself, discipline is the number one priority.
Oliver, UK

Labour's record on education is poor - as a teacher I'd fail them Rosemary, UK

Labour's record on education is poor. As a teacher I'd fail them. I'm certainly with the Lib Dems regarding withdrawal of the Child Trust Fund. The Fund is obviously just something to keep voting parents sweet, but it will not have any positive impact on the opportunities opened up to our future young people. I'd like central government to take action on how LEAs spend money - it should be spent WITHIN schools and not on endless administrators and advisors.
Rosemary, UK

An education is one of the most important things you can give a child. I believe the current Government are failing in that task. Fine, there may be more money, but what about education standards? They have dropped since I left school. Disruptive behaviour in school should not be tolerated. I think the Tories are sounding more convincing on this one.
Scott, Birmingham

I will back the Lib Dems. I agree with them that the Child Trust Fund is a complete sham and a waste of taxpayers' money. This money would be far better used to improve education. The Lib Dems' policy to scrap tuition fees is the best idea for education yet. Labour lost my vote when they introduced it in the first place.
Julia, Nottingham

Tories want to see harsher punishments and more children not attending school Jeffrey, London

The Lib Dems are the only ones who appreciate we're not lacking in bureaucratic schemes. We're lacking in teachers. Labour wants to pour more money into a black hole. Tories want to see harsher punishments and more children not attending school.
Jeffrey, London

Labour is deliberately destroying the education system. The Lib Dems are no good either: if schools get any more liberal they'll become war zones. The Tories have at least identified the real problem, discipline. Although whether they'll be able to make the necessary changes remains to be seen. Forget what a child likes, education is about teaching them the skills they need to survive in the real world, and those are hard lessons at times.
Chris, UK

The Labour party has had eight years to sort out education and it seems in an even bigger mess than when they started. I'm not inclined to trust them to sort it out again!