A HUSTINGS finally went ahead in Bradford East and while it was light on candidates, it was heavy on the issues of education.

Just three candidates took part in the event at the Hitching Post pub, in Leeds Road, Idle: Mark Trafford, Conservative; Jonathan Barras, Ukip and David Ward, Independent.

Of the remaining candidates, the audience of around 30 people were told Paul Parkins, Better for Bradford and Andy Stanford, Green Party were unwell, while Mark Jewell, Liberal Democrats, was with his father who was gravely ill.

Imran Hussain, Labour, had been invited but had not responded to invitations sent out by organiser Rupy Hayre.

She explained the last minute nature of the event: "We have tried desperately to organise one over the last month but it just hasn't come together for one reason or another, but now we have finally managed to get it off the ground."

The first hour-and-a-half was top heavy on issues of education where the panel was quizzed on their stances surrounding poor education standards in parts of Bradford, whether they agreed with 11+ examinations to create two-tier systems and if they thought Academy CEOs were overpaid.

An audience member said she felt teachers were not being properly supported and it was red tape and bureaucracy, particularly the amount of paperwork and long hours with little reward, that had forced her hand to come away from the profession.

Another audience member, a 17-year-old, said he had not been in the education system since Year 5 and had been educated at home because of his anxiety. He wanted to know what support there was for people like him. 

The panel each was forced to admit they did not know but each promised to follow his dilemma up if elected.

As far as teaching standards, Mr Trafford said he believed pouring more money into education was not the only answer and wanted to address the recruitment of teachers and look at ways of retaining them.

Another audience member, also a teacher, said she knew of schools in Bradford where job vacancies for teachers did not attract a single applicant. 

"Education has suffered from 1997 onwards but it's not just about money. It's about having teachers who inspire children to aspire to their best ability," said Mr Trafford.

Mr Barras said teacher retention was inportant as too were financial incentives.

"The cuts to school funding are unsustainable. They need to be reversed and money increased to help recruit and retain teachers," he said. 

Mr Ward said there was a lack of outstanding leaders in schools and that it was a known fact that children from poorer backgrounds did less well in school. He wanted to see families be brought out of deprivation with good jobs which would then raise the education standards.

"As an Independent I can vote how I please and if I think a policy is a good idea and will help tackle specific issues I will vote along with it," he said.

Other topics included why the free school in Fagley was stopped by Bradford Council and how schools can accommodate the extra children generated from the additional houses being planned.

A question on foreign policy and security sparked a debate on radicalisation and how it could be curbed by building relationships with young people to get them out of a destructive cycle.