Hounslow pupil overcrowding doubled since 1997 - Dakers & Khalsa

12.50.08am GMT Mon 28th Feb 2005

Charles Kennedy MP Leader of the Liberal Democrats with Lord Navnit Dholakia former President of Liberal Democrats

Andrew Dakers, Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, and Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Prospective MP for Feltham & Heston, today revealed that the number of pupils in Hounslow's secondary schools being taught in classes of 31 or more has rocketed by 98% since Labour came to power. This is way above the average outer London increase of 46%. In addition, the number of pupils in classes of 26 or more has gone up by 25% in outer London.

Andrew Dakers said:

"These figures are a shocking indictment of Labour's failure to deliver improvements for London's children.

"Record numbers of secondary school children are now being taught in the largest class sizes in recent history.

"How do we expect teachers to control discipline problems and teach effectively when so many young people are crammed into our classrooms?"

Satnam Kaur Khalsa said:

"Instead of focusing on targets that distort educational priorities, the Government should abolish unnecessary tests and red tape in schools and replace them with a pupil record of achievement. The size of classes in Hounslow is a shaming indictment of Labour's record after eight years in government."