Further and higher education manifesto promises

Huw Richards takes a hard look at what the parties are offering in further and higher education

CONSERVATIVE

* Teacher training curriculum to stress traditional methods

* Learning credits for students between 14 and 21 to reach A-level or equivalent

* National traineeships

* Objective external assessment of National Vocational Qualification syllabuses

* Medical school intakes up to 5,000 by year 2000 lLottery funding for sports scholarships

LABOUR

* Improved teacher training including induction year

* Student maintenance to be paid for by income-contingent loan system. Review of maintenance at 16 plus

* Individual Learning Accounts, funded initially by Pounds 150 million taken from Training and Enterprise Councils

* University for Industry

* No to VAT on books

* Full-time study option for unqualified under-25 long-term unemployed

* Right for any employed under 18 to take approved college course

* Scottish Parliament to take over Scottish Office functions, including further and higher education funding

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

* Individual Learning Accounts

* Credit-based system for all 14 plus courses including degrees

* Student loans scheme replaced by income-contingent repayment system

* Top-up fees rejected. Equal treatment of full or part-time first-degree students

* Credit-based system for all 14 plus courses including degrees

* 2% compulsory training levy on businesses

* "Gagging clauses" banned in employment contracts in National Health Service