David Blunkett is supporting the concept of employing students to do voluntary work in schools with hours spent in the classroom being balanced against student loans.

The home secretary said that volunteers were important because they contributed to better citizenship, and student schemes would help give young people a feeling of civic responsibility.

Forum Response: NUT

A spokesman for the NUT told ePolitix.com: "Classroom support is crucial and teachers regard this as very helpful. However it is absolutely essential those individuals are trained for the job. Using students may also encourage them to seek a career in teaching which is a further advantage.

"Students may prefer to make the decision themselves as to how they spend their money rather than directing it straight into student loans."

Forum Response: PAT

Jean Gemmell, general secretary for PAT, told ePolitix.com: "Although voluntary work for others and 'civic responsibility' are to be encouraged, and I am sure schools would welcome extra help, this scheme raises a number of important questions.

"What security and suitability checks will be carried out on the students and, in the light of its recent performance, will the Criminal Records Bureau be able to cope?

"Schools would need to be sure they allocated tasks according to students' aptitudes and abilities. The closeness of age between some students and older pupils could mean the issue of relationships would need to be very carefully monitored and the status of the volunteers clarified.

"If financial reward is involved, can this be described as 'volunteering'?"