17 June 2011
New ECE services an important catch up
The news from the Minister of Education that investment of $9.5million is going into new provision in South Auckland for
bilingual early childhood education services has been welcomed by COMET.
“The need for these services has never been more urgent,” says Chief Executive Bernardine Vester. “As well as a
shortfall of services in the South, particularly for Pacific and Maori children, population growth is outstripping the
pace at which new services can be established. This is an important step in catching up,” she adds.
At the Manukau Early Childhood Education Summit last year, COMET reported that over a three-year period, the population
of under- fives in Manukau had grown by nearly 3,000. The extra 440 places in bilingual and language immersion services
are a useful step in the right direction.
“The next step will be to ensure that quality teachers suitable for these important services are available; and that
the centres are well-supported and financially viable over the longer term. The community is committed to language
support, to making these services work well. Community service providers are gearing up to this challenge in a very
positive way,” Bernardine Vester adds. “The support of the government is welcome.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION about COMET go to www.comet.org.nz
ENDS