13 July 2005

National to ban donations?

"National's ridiculous statement on early childhood education today suggests Bill English plans to ban parents from making donations to their local early childhood education centre," Education Minister Trevor Mallard said.

"How stupid can you get. Our government has no intention of banning donations. It is up to parents how they support their early childhood education services, and I am not sure why National would take that choice from them.

"Mr English is also repeating the myths that he spread earlier in the week suggesting fees will rise for under threes. As I have said previously, fees will be monitored and fee control introduced if there is any sign of unreasonable fee increases.

"Also, Mr English knows full well that private services do get substantial funding from the government.

"In fact private for-profit services will receive more than half the $546 million that is also set aside to pay for the 20 hours free early childhood education at teacher-led community-based centres - a policy that will benefit an estimated 86,000 children.

"These are the children who will miss out under National which will scrap the free 20 hours, drop the focus on quality for our children and encourage unlicensed and untrained people to babysit," Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

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