WITH the general election just days away and too close to call, the National Union of Teachers has set out its manifesto for the country’s education system.

Included in the NUT’s set of proposals is the need for a wider vision of learning and achievement, give more time for teaching, fewer tests, for only qualified teachers to deliver lessons and to end child poverty.

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A drive to end the ‘school places crisis’, to ‘mend the fractured education system’, and encourage more investment in education.

Proposals to make teaching a more attractive profession and a call for eduction not to be ‘run for profit’ were also included in the manifesto.

Simon Jones, who represents Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen for the union, said: “The general election in 2015 will be a watershed moment for education.

“The NUT believes that every child and young person should be valued.

“That’s why we argue for action to tackle child poverty and to create a flexible and inclusive curriculum.

“We believe the role of teachers should be valued – that’s why we argue for teachers with the right qualifications.

“We believe vital links between parents, schools and communities should be valued – that’s why we argue that local authorities should be responsible for schools, not a remote secretary of state."

Richard Jones, head teacher of St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington, said: “I applaud any initiative which seeks to raise the profile of education in the general election.”

Cllr Dave Harling, schools and education boss at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “On the whole I would agree with what the union is saying. Education is undervalued and the pressures on schools and teachers have got greater and greater.”

Conservative councillor Jean Rigby said: “These seem to be open-ended recommendations. They are aspirations but do not seem very easy to implement.”