The Green Party today said it would spend an extra €1 billion on education if put into power.
Unveiling its "50 Steps to a Better Education System", the party said its plan was fully costed and achievable and would guarantee free pre-school education, cut class sizes and reform the Leaving Cert.
The party said it would examine whether the crucial exams should be split over two years to reduce the stress and pressure on pupils while keeping others on track.
Education spokesman Paul Gogarty TD insisted the Greens were setting the education agenda. "No other party has come close to producing an education document as detailed and as fully costed as ours," he said.
"The current Government has failed to plan for population changes. They have failed to deliver on class sizes. They have failed parents and children with their half-hearted approach to funding education.
"Despite our economic success, we remain near the bottom in terms of educational investment."
Mr Gogarty said the party would bring in an extra 1,200 primary teachers, costing €48 million, and extra secondary teachers at €44 million.
He also revealed a plan to get schools to "go green" from the design and construction stages through to the way they are run day-to-day.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said: "Much greater investment is needed along with greater relevance for the new challenges young people will face in the future.
"Ireland will only succeed in becoming a fit, fair society and a lean, green economy if schools and colleges are empowering our people to bravely make the transition to a prosperous post-oil Ireland."