Director Shareholding

Pearson PLC
12 May 2003


12 May 2003


RNS
The London Stock Exchange
Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1HP


Dear Sirs

Pearson plc (the Company) announces that on 9 May 2003, Pearson Employee Share
Trustees Limited (the Trustee), as Trustee of the Pearson Employee Share Trust
(the Trust), acquired 4,854 ordinary shares in the Company (Shares). These
Shares were acquired at a price of 511.60p per Share under the Company's
Dividend Reinvestment Plan in respect of the final dividend for the year ended
31 December 2002.

In consequence of the acquisition of Shares referred to above, the total number
of Shares held by the Trustee has increased to 180,256 Shares.

As the Trust is a discretionary trust under which all employees (including
executive directors) of the Pearson group are potential beneficiaries, each
executive director is treated for Companies Act purposes as interested in the
Shares referred to above.

Yours faithfully
PEARSON PLC


Stephen Jones
Deputy Secretary






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