CHILDREN at infant schools in Blackburn and Darwen are more likely to be taught in a class with 30 or more pupils than anywhere else in the North West, it was revealed today.

Figures published by the Government show that only 70 per cent of five to seven-year-old youngsters are taught in classes of 30 or fewer pupils, the worst record in the region. And the average class size in Blackburn and Darwen is 28.2 pupils per classroom - again the highest in the region.

Education chiefs now face a race against time to meet a government target of having all pupils in classrooms of 30 or less by 2001

But town hall bosses claim they have made vast steps in recent years to cut down on class sizes and a programme is in place to improve the situation further. Blackburn with Darwen took over education from Lancashire County Council in 1997/8, when only 56.1 per cent of five to seven-year-olds were taught in classes of 30 or less. And bosses are promising that an ongoing programme of investment in new classrooms and funding for additional teachers in Blackburn with Darwen will ensure the reduction in infant class sizes is completed on schedule for September 2001.

Education chairman Coun Bill Taylor, said: "While we recognise the progress that we've already made, we are not complacent. We have opened three extra classrooms this year together with funding for 14 extra teachers and have a programme to build a further eight classrooms and provide funding for an additional 23 teachers.

"The Implementation Plan, as approved by the Government, is scheduled for completion by 2001, in line with national targets."

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