Our kids deserve the best
The Better Funding Better Learning team believe New Zealand’s kids deserve the best education in the world, but that can only happen if it’s funded properly.
To spread the Better Funding, Better Learning message the Heartland tour started in February and on Friday the bright blue and yellow campervan stopped in Morrinsville and Te Aroha.
Morrinsville Intermediate School teachers were quick to show their support.
Better Funding, Better Learning campaigner Michelle Ryan said funding freezes are squeezing all education sectors.
The Early Childhood Education sector has faced an effective freeze in funding since 2010.
‘‘Government funding has not kept pace with increased participation in ECE,’’ she said.
‘‘This has caused a severe funding squeeze that’s led to sharp increases to parent fees in some places, a deterioration of child to teacher ratios, and increasing reliance on unqualified staff.’’
The Government has also frozen the operations grant to schools this year.
‘‘This is bad news for teacher aides and other support staff – and the children they support,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘When schools are under pressure to pay for essentials like power, water and property maintenance, they have to trade-off support staff hours.’’