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As we enter the second week of the school holidays, it could be time to reflect on some of the great announcements made over the past few weeks.
Of significance are the extra 79 teachers that have been provided to Wairarapa since 1999.
When Labour took office in 1999 there was a crisis in our schools - we literally did not have enough teachers to teach our children. Since 1999, we've put over 3040 extra full-time teacher equivalents into classrooms, over and above the extra teachers required for roll growth.
Around 1250 under-2s and their families in Wairarapa will be able to receive 20 hours a week free early childhood education in two years time under the Labour-led Government.
If your child is two years old or younger, then they will be able to benefit from our ground-breaking policy of 20 hours free early childhood education a week for three and four year olds at community-based teacher-led services from 2007. This is great news for children and it's great news for their families.
Labour cares a great deal about making sure our country's youngest children get a really good start in their education. Unlike National, which has promised to scrap the 20 hours free policy to help pay for its tax cuts. Their policy means around 86,000 children around the country would miss out.
Our goal is to make early childhood education more accessible and affordable for all New Zealand families, and we've invested millions to make this happen. Private centres in Wairarapa are already benefiting from this new funding system. A total of $546 million (GST exclusive) has been set aside from now until 2008-095 to pay for the new funding system including the 20 hours free. Of that, private services will receive an estimated $245 million or 56 percent.
In Wairarapa schools' operations grant had gone up by $1.9 million alone since 1999.
Since 1999 this government has increased school "ops" funding by an average of $348 for every child. This equates to an increase of almost 15 percent in real terms - that is, over and above the rate of inflation.
Parents need to be given the truth about school funding. Operational funding is just one source of funding a school receives from the Government and accounts for around one fifth of the total funds the Government spends on schools annually. Other major components include teachers salaries, property, special education services and school transport The Government's commitment to schools has been real, substantial and continuous after a decade of under-funding.
In 2005/06 almost $950 million (GST excl) will be spent on operational funding. This compares with $684 million in 1999, and is an increase of $265 million or 39 percent. Budget 2005 delivered an extra $77.8 million increase to schools operational funding from 2006. This increase to operational funding comes on top of a $24.8 million a year increase provided to schools from 1 January 2005, as a result of a review of decile funding.
While increases in the operations grant have significantly outstripped inflation, the Government has nevertheless initiated a review of operational funding. The review will look at the core costs to schools and will assess how well schools are resourced.
I urge parents to get involved with their school boards of trustees and to ask the hard questions of their representatives as to decisions about how they spent the operation grant, and other funding.
Along with Labour candidate Denise MacKenzie, I was pleased to accompany the Prime Minister last Tuesday on a most successful and enjoyable day's programme in the Wairarapa. Helen Clark met with WOOPs members at their office, prior to a very well attended public meeting for older citizens at the Frank Cody Lounge. Those present were given the opportunity to meet personally with the Prime Minister following her address. A visit to Masterton Hospital was next on the agenda, which included a tour of our brand new hospital, discussions with clinical staff and contractors on site, and an informal lunch with hospital staff. The Prime Ministerial party then departed for Carterton and a visit to the Paua Shell Factory, hosted by owner operators Rob Carter and Rosie Studholme. Helen Clark was impressed by this successful local initiative, and was able to inspect the factory and discuss business operations with Rob and Rosie. On to Greytown for a visit hosted by the Greytown Business Association, with stops at Le Pommier French Bakery, Fenick and Davy, and Heart of Glass Art Gallery - followed by a quick coffee at Pipi Café.
The Prime Minister and her party were warmly greeted at the Tin Hut Hotel by mine host Marcus Darley and a full house of Labour Party members and supporters assembled for Denise MacKenzie's official campaign launch. It was standing room only as Helen gave an informal address to the gathering, after which there was ample opportunity for those present to talk personally with her. As always, the Prime Minister impressed her audience with her warmth, humour and depth of knowledge on all issues raised with her.
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