Cuts to funding are eroding the quality of ECE services and the union wants the Government to commit more money to ECE in the next budget, NZEI national president Judith Nowotarski says.
“It is a great cause for concern that earlier gains such as a goal of having 100 percent qualified teachers in ECE centres have been dropped and centre sizes have been allowed to balloon out to 150 children,” she said.
“Quality ECE is crucial for all children but is particularly important for those children who come from low socio-economic backgrounds.”
3 News (3/3/2013)
A great shame to see early education services for New Zealand children and families being reduced. New Zealand has a progressive and respected approach to early learning with children – particularly Te Whāriki, NZ’s early learning and development framework.
The conservative government of the United Kingdom has also flagged rolling back reforms to their ECEC sector. What would these moves signify if we end up with a Liberal Tony Abbott-led government in September?
Liam McNicholas 