NSW Election issues explained: Education a key battleground for both parties

The stakes around education are high, with Australia's lagging literacy and numeracy results a worry for parents.

Labor has promised to pour $2.7 billion into public schools, in line with the Gonksi scheme.

If it is elected, it would make NSW the first state to fully fund the Gonski scheme.

It is also campaigning on a platform of hiring 5000 extra teachers next term, which is just ahead of the Coalition's promise for 4600 teachers.

But it is more than teaching quality that is a priority.

Sydney's booming population leading to increasingly overcrowded classrooms, prompting a major schools infrastructure build.

Labor is promising to air condition every public school, and splash $7.4 billion building or upgrading 204 schools across the state.

The Coalition is also promising to build and upgrade schools - although itis only looking at 170 schools if it wins another term.

NSW STATE ELECTION: THE ISSUES EXPLAINED

Chris O’Keefe and Liz Daniels will be exploring the key issues the voters are weighing up in the build up to the election

- Why Sydney stadiums could blow the election wide open

- How Mike Baird nailed to politics of Allianz Stadium

- Health spending the emotive issue for both parties

- NSW State Election: The five key issues dividing voters