10. Hon TAU HENARE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Has he been advised of reports that the kindergarten sector is in upheaval, with compulsory fees replacing donations, and teachers taking their first industrial action in nearly a decade; if so, does he think that his Government’s policies have contributed to this situation?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
I am advised that negotiations will continue on 12 and 13 December, and that two key issues are in dispute. The first is child contact hours and the second is pay for head and senior teachers. The sector is not in upheaval.
Does the Minister agree with the senior ministerial employee who, while watching the protest outside the House today, stated that hundreds of kindergarten teachers being engaged in strike action was “nothing more than an extended Christmas shopping day”; if so, why?
Dianne YatesHon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
In 2000 the Government moved all kindergartens back under the State Sector Act, giving them the benefit of a national collective agreement for kindergarten teachers. Under the previous National Government, kindergartens were undervalued, the services were rundown, and the quality was threatened. Negotiations under that Government were ad hoc, and different pay rates and conditions applied all over the country. In essence, the sector was in upheaval.
Is the Minister aware that Clydemore Kindergarten in Ōtara has been forced to close because Government policies mean the kindergarten can no longer afford to run a sessional-based service, and that this formerly free service will be replaced with a day-care service charging up to $180 per child a week; if so, how does he think this situation helps underprivileged, poor children in Ōtara?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I am not aware of that particular circumstance, but I am aware that this Government is putting $485 million a year into early childhood, and that kindergarten teachers will have pay parity with primary and secondary school teachers in the years ahead. What I am certain of is that all kindergarten teachers support this Government’s strategy, not the previous Government’s strategy.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
This Government has developed a funding system designed to enable all early childhood services to respond to the needs of parents and communities. A number of kindergartens are responding to those needs by offering more flexible hours, and the funding system enables them to do just that. We are also offering 20 hours free early childhood education from 2007 to increase access to early childhood services. We are continually improving quality across the sector by reviewing regulations, funding more qualified staff, and improving staff; child-staff ratios are going down, and there is funding also—
Madam SPEAKERWould the member to my left please be seated. This has happened several times. While the Minister was addressing the question the member rose. The rule is that when I am on my feet, you are all seated; if another member is on his or her feet, then the rest of us are seated. I ask the member just to remember that, please.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am not questioning either your authority or your ruling, but I simply rose because there was a pause in the Minister’s answer. I thought he had finished. Well, you can shake your head if you want to, Madam Speaker, but I am entitled to give my reasons for rising to my feet. It was not in any way meant to be an attack on the Minister’s integrity, or whatever.
Is the Minister aware that North Island kindergartens have been forced to introduce compulsory fees for their services in a bid to keep their centres open for the hours required; if so, will he take responsibility for his Government’s policies ending the century-long kindergarten tradition of offering a free education service?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I am a member of a Government that is about to introduce 20 free hours every single week—no, I do not.
H V Ross Robertson Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that there have been ongoing negotiations to accommodate Clydemore kindy while the new facilities are being built?
I seek leave of the House to table the Early Childhood Teacher: Occupational Skill Shortage Assessment from the Department of Labour.
I seek leave to table a report dated July 2005 called Annual Census of Children and Staff at Licensed and/or Chartered Early Childhood Services.
I seek leave to table a report from the New Zealand Educational Institute about why kindergarten teachers need term breaks, why the employer claim for contact time is excessive, and why head and senior kindergarten teachers are not being fairly rewarded.