"Bribing Pupils is Wrong," say Lib Dems

8.26.00pm GMT Thu 12th May 2005

Liberal Democrats have been shocked at the Government's approach to getting better school results. Labour appear to be desperate to achieve their targets and have now resorted to using taxpayers' money to 'bribe' pupils. Some schools are planning to pay £200 to any pupil who gets at least five GCSE 'C' grades.

Cabinet member for children, Sandra Clark, said: "The Liberal Democrats are the first to commend schools in doing all they can to raise attainment, but we believe it is wrong to offer cash incentives. It would be more appropriate to offer some sort of incentive for attendance rather than for achievement. There are a great many children who are working their hardest and yet will never achieve 5 GCSEs. This scheme excludes these pupils.

"The Labour Government encourages league tables, and is now resorting to bribery to try to improve performance. Many schools work in challenging circumstances and to judge all schools merely by the bits of paper that pupils obtain is clearly wrong. The Liberal Democrat Council believes that payments of this kind are a misuse of taxpayers' money.

"We believe the cash would be better used to:

• re-engage disenchanted pupils

• make schools more enjoyable places to be

• provide rewards for attendance in the form of vouchers or days out, not cash."

This scheme has been introduced by the governing body of a foundation school, Radcliffe, which is outside the control of the Local Education Authority. It does not use Milton Keynes council taxpayers' money - the money comes from a government grant for schools in special measures. This government money could be spent in better ways.

Liberal Democrats believe that taxpayers' money should be spent for the benefit of all pupils, not for the few.