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Schools Secretary Ed Balls marked the publication of the GCSE results today with a scathing attack on his Tory rival Michael Gove.
Mr Balls accused the Conservatives of seeking to revive a two-tiered split in the schools system and said the party had consistently aimed to "do down" state education.
"Instead of breaking down the damaging old divide between 'excellent' academic qualifications for some and 'second class' for everybody else, the Tories seem determined to turn back the clock. This is the wrong approach for the 21st century," he said.
The Conservatives insist that their radical plans for Swedish-style schools will allow parents and the private sector to set up their own institutions within the state system.
Conservative leader David Cameron has declared he wants his children to attend state schools, and this week revealed he aimed to send son Elwen to join sister Nancy at St Mary Abbots primary in Kensington.
But Labour is determined to follow up its attacks on Tory NHS policy with claims that the Tories want a return to a "two-tier" education system.
Shadow schools secretary Mr Gove last week made plain he wants to keep school league tables and remove vocational qualifications and give extra points for "harder" subjects.
Mr Balls said Mr Gove's stance showed his "increasingly narrow and deeply conservative view of education policy".He said: "Our diplomas, combining theoretical and applied learning, are our best chance to break this historic divide. They are widely backed by employers and universities and I'm determined to do everything we can to make them a success."
Reader views (8)
Sounds like Mr Balls is getting a little bit rattled. Ask any juggler and he'll tell you - you need to have a keep your head, not to mention knowing what you're doing, if you want to keep your balls in the air. That's not quite the same as having airhead Balls.
'nuff said.
- Rogan, Irving
".. old divide between 'excellent' academic qualifications for some and 'second class' for everybody else .."
Now it is just second class for everybody..
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Ed, you and your cronies have had 12 years to deliver a world-class schools system. Remember the mantra of your former leader "Education, Education, Education"? It was obviously yet another soundbite courtesy of Mandelspin and Campbell, with little effort put behind actually delivering.
It's time to let someone else have a go. Goodbye.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
I couldn't agree with JK and Bob more. My sons were in a state school that refused to teach them to write using lined paper - and said that was the policy when I asked why. Hence their handwriting was illegible for the following 2 years. (if you don't have lined paper how are you to know how high to shape parts of a letter?) Both boys are now in years 4 and 5 and doing very well in private school. The private school headmaster's response when I asked him whether he taught to GCSE/A levels and the state curriculum? With a smile he said they teach the subject and ignore the state curriculum. Labour have dumbed down education in the UK so much that it is not surprising businesses struggle to find people to fill skilled jobs. Blair was a liar when he said Labour's priority was Education Education Education. Does Ed Balls have kids? Which STATE school do they attend?
- Mark, London
So Labour's pre-election strategy is purely based on its belief that everything (NHS, education, the recession) would be even worse under the Tories? Hardly a positive approach, and one that will see them steamrollered at the polls.
- Paul, London
"Mr Balls accused the Conservatives of seeking to revive a two-tiered split in the schools system"
At least in the old system kids had a chance to learn, in the one tier system (which is nothing of the sort) education has been dumbed down such that no one has a chance, hence private schools sitting international GCSE's as they're a much more well rounded qualification.
- Bob, Cheam
Hate to say this Balls but apart from a few middle class grammar schools state schools are still, even after 12 years of socialism, in the main, Rubbish compared with the private sector. However, as Cameron wants to close Grammar's too then two words to Gove. Shut up.
- Steve, bremtford.
Would trust the Torys to educate our young children and put a bit of respect back into the school system. Labour have failed in every single area possible.
- Jk, London
