Liberal Democrat education priorities

6.00.00pm GMT Fri 11th Mar 2005

At the first Liberal Democrat press conference of the campaign Charles Kennedy highlighted the party's key education policies. The Lib Dems are pledging to deliver:

· 21,000 extra teachers for 5-11 year olds

· More individual teacher pupil time for primary school children

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy said "High quality education for our children is essential - for the sake of our society, for the sake of our economy and for the sake of each individual's personal fulfilment. Education is the key to so many of the opportunities that our society offers. And it is the best investment that our generation can make on behalf of the next."

Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Education said "Liberal Democrats are ambitious for every child and this is the foundation of our pledge. Instead of a cash hand out for 18 year olds from a Child Trust Fund that favours those whose parents can already afford to save for them we will spend the money reducing class sizes, a measure which benefits all children regardless of their parents wealth or background. Smaller class sizes create a better learning environment and help foster better behaviour within the classroom."