HAS LABOUR WRECKED OUR SCHOOLS?

Schools minister Jim Knight said that youngsters could be massed in a large room as long as their teacher was supported by several classroom assistants.

The revelations will be seen as further evidence of Labour’s failure on education given the 1997 election pledge to restrict class sizes to a maximum of 30 for younger pupils.

After his speech drew jeers at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers’ annual conference yesterday, the minister told reporters that more than 70 children could be taught together.

Mr Knight said he had seen a maths class of 70 pupils in Telford, Shropshire, in a room with three or four extra teaching assistants.

He added that it was “perfectly acceptable” and there had been “good learning going on”.


Is 70 children per class a ridiculous idea?

Does the trend towards larger class sizes concern you?

Have YOUR say!