Director Shareholding

Pearson PLC
21 December 2004




21 December 2004

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


Dear Sirs

Non-Executive Directors' Share Purchase Plan

Below are details of purchases of ordinary shares made yesterday under the
Non-Executive Directors' Share Purchase Plan:-

Name of        No. of     Percentage      Price   Total Holding Total Percentage
Director       Shares     of Issued         per       Following        Following
            Purchased         Stock       Share    Notification     Notification

Lord Burns        244      0.00003%     606.92p           4,089         0.00051%
Susan Fuhrman     318      0.00004%     606.92p             551         0.00007%
Reuben Mark       318      0.00004%     606.92p          14,798         0.00184%
Vernon Sankey     244      0.00003%     606.92p           3,695         0.00046%
Gurvirendra 
Talwar            997      0.00012%     606.92p           8,152         0.00101%

If there are any questions in connection with this matter, please do not
hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully



Michaella Henderson

Assistant Company Secretary

MH/DC



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