An opportunity scholarship equivalent to what the government currently spends on children's education will be provided directly to parents
Parents able to spend the scholarship at any approved school they wish, public, independent, non-profit or for-profit
Schools will be licensed by the Education Authority in the same way the Reserve Bank licenses banks. Evidence that parents wished to send their children to a particular school would be clear evidence that the school should be licensed except in extreme circumstances
The Education Authority will establish guidelines of expected standards to be reached at various age levels (similar to inflation targets of Reserve Bank)
A move back to basics will be a standard requirement of the curriculum

Implement measures to provide maximum class sizes no greater than 20 through a reduction in pupil to teacher ratios for primary, intermediate and secondary schools to improve delivery of quality education for all children
Encourage partnerships between high and low-decile schools for their mutual benefit
Support schools as 'community learning centres' that offer learning opportunities for learners of all ages
Incorporate environmental education into the core curriculum from pre-school to secondary level.

Labour has already announced plans to widen student allowance eligibility in 2009
We will continue to extend eligibility in 2010 and 2011 and abolish the parental income test altogether in 2012
Labour will increase the number of modern apprentices in training by 1,000 a year so that by December 2011 we have 17,000 people in modern apprenticeship training

Set clear national standards in reading, writing, and maths
Pilot a school-based apprenticeship scheme like the one run in Australia; fund select schools to run 'Trades Academies'
Provide a universal education entitlement for all 16- and 17- olds
Keep interest-free student loans for tertiary students, and introduce incentives for people to repay their student loans

Implement policies which will increase participation rates and quality provision of early childhood education
Develop a comprehensive package of parent support and guidance programmes
Increase the amount of discretionary funding available to decile 3-10 schools by flattening the distribution curve
Undertake a review of teachers' workload and minimise bureaucratic requirements
Introduce a non-repayable student allowance (also known as the universal student allowance)

Introduce a minimum number of standards for each subject that must be externally assessed
Ensure that character education programmes, also known as values education and life-skills education, are established in full consultation with parents and staff and operate in all of New Zealand's schools
Promote an increase of funding for early identification of children with special needs and disabilities
Promote a universal living allowance for tertiary students