Pre-school teachers state their case

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 653, 10 September 1996, Page 3

Pre-school teachers state their case

By

Michele

Monaghan

Kindergarten teacher Shelley Newson hopes the government has "come to its senses" by the time this Bulletin gets to your doorstep. Kindergarten representatives, the State Services Commission and delegates from the Ministry of Education were due to meet yesterday (Monday) to try and wager a deal, after a 'nil' pay offer saw kindergarten teachers nation-wide walk off the job last Tuesday. (Apart from Auckland who strike today.) The offensive offer came nine months after the teachers' collective contract had expired and sent a signal that the government holds women in contempt as most teachers are women, said Ms Newson. Kindergarten bulk funding was introduced in March 1992 and in March of this year the first increase was granted — a 0.87 percent hourly increase which didn't even cover inflation, she said. During the four and a half years of bulk funding teachers have received only a small pay increase while workloads have continued

to increase with the ever-changmg education environment and the new curriculum initiatives, Te Whariki. Kindergarten teachers say they provide value for taxpayers' money and the issue is not solely about a pay increase. Kindergartens represent 15 percent of all early childhood services yet they cater for 30 percent of all children attending an early childhood service. Costed on a yearly basis kindergartens receive $1292 per Child, the second lowest amount of money received by any early childhood service. Playcentres receive $527, childcare $1475, home based $2356, and te kohanga reo $3040 per child. Kindergarten teachers have been surveyed for ideas on what to do next if the government won't listen. These ideas include further strike action, boycotting filling in bulk funding returns and working to rule, Ms Newson said. Teachers are pleading for parents and concerned citizens to join their fight by writing to the government asking for an unconditional funding increase of at least $8 million.