A majority of the Parliament has today voted in favour of the Private Members Motion put forward by the Member for Aston, Alan Tudge and the Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, to give kindergartens flexibility to implement the ‘Universal Access’ requirement of 15 hours for 4 year-olds.
15 September 2011
ALAN TUDGE MP - DAN TEHAN MP JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
PARLIAMENT VOTES TO SUPPORT FLEXIBILITY FOR KINDERGARTENS
A majority of the Parliament has today voted in favour of the Private Members Motion put forward by the Member for Aston, Alan Tudge and the Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, to give kindergartens flexibility to implement the ‘Universal Access’ requirement of 15 hours for 4 year-olds.
At the moment some 3 year-old kinder programs are at risk of being cut and smaller rural and regional kindergartens are at risk of closing.
“This is a victory for common sense, Minister Garrett now has to deliver upon the wishes of the Parliament and provide flexibility. If he does not, many 3 year-old kinder programs will be forced to close”, said Mr Tudge today.
Mr Tehan said that “this is a symbolic win and given that the whole aim of ‘Universal Access’ was to provide more early childhood education for our children, the Government needs to act to save kindergarten programs that are at risk.”
The Private Members Motion called on the government to provide greater flexibility for kindergarten operators so that they can deliver kindergarten and pre-school services according to the needs of their own communities and in line with local infrastructure and staffing capacity.
The motion highlighted the fact that kindergarten for three-year olds and four-year olds in country areas is under threat in Victoria as a consequence of the Government’s nation-wide expansion of early childhood education for four-year olds.
The Government now needs to acknowledge that the Parliament has spoken, and they need to immediately act to ensure this flexibility is given to kindergartens, who are struggling to implement the 15 hours requirement.
The motion, which is attached, was passed by the Parliament with the support of Mr Tony Crook, Mr Bob Katter, Mr Rob Oakeshott and Mr Tony Windsor. We would like to thank the independents for recognising the seriousness of this issue.
The Education Minister, Mr Garrett must now recognise that if a local community is forced to choose between their kindergarten closing, or staying open but only delivering the current 11 hours for 4 year-olds, that parents would support staying open. We need to keep our kindergartens open, and we need to ensure that 3 year old programs are not at risk.
-ENDS-
Copyright © 2010 : Authorised by Dan Tehan, 190 Gray St, Hamilton VIC 3300
Disclaimer | Privacy | Contact
Design by Tin Shed Creations
