President Barack Obama of the US is now pushing for education reform.

In his weekly internet and radio address Saturday, Mr Obama said he had plans which he would take to Congress to ensure all students graduate from high school, ready for college and a career.

In an ambitious overhaul of the country's education system, he said his plan would be an overhaul of the “no child left behind” campaign of his predecessor, George W Bush.

President Bush’s plan had been controversial because it had insisted on standardised testing and penalties for schools that did not meet national standards.

In his address, Mr Obama said his plan would be to decentralise education reform, with local schools and districts having flexibility while the federal government looked on to ensure the setting of a "high bar" for standards.

The plan will be presented to Congress on Monday.