A VOW to monitor the national curriculum so teachers are not too constrained in their work has come from St Albans MP Kerry Pollard.

Mr Pollard was addressing the Education and Skills select committee attended by members of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority last week. He said that he had heard some teachers describe the national curriculum as a "straitjacket".

QCA chairman Sir William Stubbs replied there was no doubt that some teachers in some school found it burdensome, but the evidence of the day-to-day practice in many schools was that following the national curriculum was an enriching experience for young people.

After the meeting Mr Pollard said: "I am determined to monitor the situation with the national curriculum. It is helping to enrich education but it is vital that we listen to teachers' experiences so we can ensure they can carry out their work without too much constraint."

July 4, 2002 10:00