The education secretary is to set out his intention to end illiteracy and innumeracy within a generation.
Michael Gove is understood to want this commitment included in the next Conservative manifesto.
In a speech to a think tank, he will outline his plan to save lives that are "wasted" due to a lack of basic skills.
He is also expected to say money should be deducted from child benefit payments for parents who allow children to truant then refuse to pay fines.
Mr Gove's strategy for making sure all children learn to read and write are likely to be included in a draft of the manifesto submitted to the prime minister by No 10's policy unit head Jo Johnson, The Times reports.
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Children only have one chance at education. We can't let them miss out on its transformative effect”
Michael Gove Education secretary
Around 15% of children leave primary school in England without basic levels of reading, writing and maths, the newspaper says.
Mr Gove will also speak of schools that are "setting children up to fail" by setting low expectations, providing "dumbed-down courses" and refusing to think of them as "intellectually curious and capable of greatness".
He will tell the centre-right think tank Policy Exchange: "I believe we have to embrace reform, lean in to the future, set standards higher than ever before."
As well as stressing the importance of raising standards in schools, Mr Gove will say parents have to take responsibility for their children's behaviour.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27741261
Sigh. Again?
