It is an encouraging start to 2002 to learn from School Standards Minister Stephen Timms that the Government intends to redouble efforts to ensure that every child in Bradford gets the best education possible.

The extra funding directed at schools, which Mr Timms claims is £269 per pupil this year, should certainly help. As the minister says, the focus so far has been on primary schools. Now it will be extended to encompass secondary schools to boost the number of pupils gaining five good GCSEs.

This is particularly important as far as Bradford is concerned, as only 34 per cent of pupils here meet this standard - well below the national average.

The idea of introducing extra lessons in science and computer skills as well as English and Maths should help to ensure that pupils get a better grounding in these vital subjects which are so important to their own future as well as to Bradford's. The proposed increased emphasis on work-related subjects such as engineering and catering should also help in this direction.

However, perhaps the most significant part of Mr Timms's statement is his challenge to the youngsters of Bradford to achieve great things in 2002. It is a call they would be wise to heed.

The Government can throw money at education. It can come up with one imaginative scheme after another to boost pupil performance. But at the end of the day the best chance of improvements rests with pupils appreciating the value to them of a good education, and wanting to learn. It is their future, and it lies largely in their hands.