Hitting the streets in opposition to ECE cuts

Over the past few months, thousands of people have hit the streets around New Zealand in opposition to the cuts to ECE funding that come into effect from February next year. Peaceful protest marches have been held in Napier, Tauranga, Nelson and Dunedin – and more will follow. Over 20,000 postcards were recently presented to politicians in Wellington, calling on the Government to reinstate the funding and to set a target of 100% qualified teachers in all ECE centres.

Momentum is building as the impact of the cuts are being realised. In both national and local papers, more and more stories are emerging about the difficulties experienced by ECE services and increased pressure on kindergarten associations to meet funding shortfalls. People are alarmed that Government believes we do not need a fully qualified teaching workforce in ECE – and that it changed rules to say 80% qualified teachers is good enough.    

Wendy Logan, Chief Executive of Nelson Kindergarten Association, summed it up by saying “the cuts totally devalue early childhood education and all the work that has gone into improving quality. The cuts will result in higher costs for parents and could lead to some children not participating in quality early childhood education.”

By protesting the cuts, people are saying the Government is short changing our youngest citizens and their future. We need to keep sending the message to the Government to say that’s simply not good enough.