UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


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                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                    PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       For the month of December 2003

                                  PEARSON plc
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                      N/A

                (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                                   80 Strand
                            London, England WC2R 0RL
                                44-20-7010-2000
                    (Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant  files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:




      Form 20-F X                                      Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark whether the  Registrant  by  furnishing  the  information
contained  in this  Form is  also  thereby  furnishing  the  information  to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934




       Yes                                              No X

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        This Report includes the following documents:

1. A press release from Pearson plc announcing Statement re Peter Jovanovich



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9TH DECEMBER 2003

Statement re Peter Jovanovich

Pearson, the international media company, announces that Peter Jovanovich, Chief
Executive of Pearson Education, will take a leave of absence from the business
for a few months on medical advice.

During this period, Pearson Education's divisional presidents will report to
Marjorie Scardino, Pearson's Chief Executive.

Marjorie Scardino said:

"Peter has been wrestling with a recurring pulmonary disorder for some time. His
doctors now believe he needs a period of rest to aid his recovery. Peter fully
intends to return to work as soon as possible. We will continue to be in touch
with him and make sure he is focused only on a speedy recovery, while our strong
team of education executives continues to run the business to the high standards
they are all used to."

Ends

For further information

Luke Swanson / Charlotte Elston Pearson + 44 (0) 20 7010 2310



                                    SIGNATURE


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   PEARSON plc

Date: 09 December 2003

                             By:   /s/ STEPHEN JONES
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                                   Stephen Jones
                                   Deputy Secretary