Paula Bennett MP
National Party Education Spokeswoman (Early Childhood)

29 March 2007

'20 free hours' will compromise quality

Education Minister Steve Maharey is not fooling the early childhood education sector with his assurances that his '20 free hours' policy will not reduce the quality of education available, says National's Associate Education spokeswoman, Paula Bennett.

"The Minister continues to say this policy will benefit parents and that up to 92,000 children will have access to '20 free hours'.

"Today in the House he refused to admit what we all know that '20 free hours' will see the quality of education compromised.

"The sector isn't buying into his propaganda.

"I have letters arriving daily from centres who tell me the Ministry of Education is saying to them that they must "make the policy work', whatever the outcome.

"These centres have been told that the four best options for making Steve Maharey's empty promise work are 'reducing quality, reducing staffing, charging children aged 0-2 years more, charging parents more for the remaining hours each week'.

"In answer to written parliamentary questions, Steve Maharey tells us he has no plans to make any rule changes before this policy rolls out on July 1.

"If that is the case then these centres will be left with no option but to raise their fees for younger children or reduce quality.

"There is no escaping the fact that this policy is going to create a two-tier system where those most in need will either miss out or get lower-quality education.

"Parents and the sector deserve the truth about '20 free hours', and that is that this policy is a sure-fire way to cement lower quality early childhood education across the board."

ENDS

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