More attention for wild horses than children, claim Kindy teachers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 652, 3 September 1996, Page 5

More attention for wild horses than children, claim Kindy teachers

By

r Michele

Monaghan

"Stuff the horses, what about the kids?' That's the question kindergarten teachers in Waiouru are asking. Kindergarten teachers strike today in objection to a nil-increase pay offer and general government reluctance to adequately fund early childhood education. "If the government put as many resources into early childhood education as they did into saving the wild horses we would have quality early childhood education for all," Waiouru kindergarten teacher Margie Dennehy told the Bulletin. "It's not just about a pay increase for kindergarten teachers, it's about government facing up to its responsibilities for funding a quality early childhood education for the children, whanau and families of their

country," fellow teacher Shelley Newson said "Yes, we want more money, not only injected into salary, but also to take the financial burden off parents and local committees. It's about responsibility to fund all education," Cindy Hammond explained. Waiouru' s four kindergarten teachers will be taking their arguments to the public today by holding a picket on State Highway One. People wanting to show their support for the teachers are invited to the Moawhango Dam turn-off at 1 1am today. With the majority of kindergarten teachers being women, the Waiouru teachers said they feel that once again the government is paying lip service to equity policies and focus on families. "They are treating a group of very dedicated, committed women workers with the contempt that they would not show anyone else," the teachers said.