Parents want answers, not jokes

Katherine Rich MP
National Party Education Spokeswoman

13 March 2007

Parents want answers, not jokes

Education Minister Steve Maharey has again failed to give parents and service providers answers to their concerns over the ’20 free hours’ early childhood education scheme, says National Party Education spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

“It is disturbing that four months before the ’20 free hours’ scheme is due to roll out, the Minister clearly has no idea how many kids will get ’20 free hours’ and no idea how many centres will take up the policy.

“Rather than answer simple questions in the House today, the Minister chose to crack jokes about Trevor Mallard's rugby prowess.

“Such flippancy is an insult to all the Kiwi mums and dads who were misled by the Labour Government to believe that all 3 and 4-year-olds would be guaranteed ‘20 free hours’.

“Kiwi parents aren't interested in jokes.

“They want to know that the Government will keep its pre-election promise that 86,000 3 and 4-year-olds will ‘definitely’ get ’20 free hours’.

“The Government is embarking on a flashy television advertising campaign designed to encourage parents to put pressure on centres to given in and take on the scheme, even if it means the centre will be disadvantaged.

“Parents aren’t buying into your up-take strategy Mr Maharey, and neither are early childhood centres.

“If you want the public to buy into your campaign, give them some straight answers.”

ENDS