New ECE services an important catch up

17 June 2011

The news from the Minister of Education that investment of $9.5million is going into new provision in South Auckland for bilingual early childhood education services has been welcomed by COMET.

“The need for these services has never been more urgent,” says Chief Executive Bernardine Vester. “As well as a shortfall of services in the South, particularly for Pacific and Maori children, population growth is outstripping the pace at which new services can be established. This is an important step in catching up,” she adds.

At the Manukau Early Childhood Education Summit last year, COMET reported that over a three-year period, the population of under- fives in Manukau had grown by nearly 3,000. The extra 440 places in bilingual and language immersion services are a useful step in the right direction.

“The next step will be to ensure that quality teachers suitable for these important services are available; and that the centres are well-supported and financially viable over the longer term. The community is committed to language support, to making these services work well. Community service providers are gearing up to this challenge in a very positive way,” Bernardine Vester adds. “The support of the government is welcome.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about COMET go to www.comet.org.nz

ENDS

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