Underinvestment in Early Education Labelled As Stupid Economic and Social Policy
5 November 2010
Economists Suzanne Snivelly and Prue Hyman joined social commentator Campbell Roberts today to call for investment in
early childhood education as a priority.
Campbell Roberts told 150 people attending the Early Education Federation Forum in Wellington there was a desperate need
for investment in early education, particularly for Maori and other vulnerable children.
“To not be taking adequate care of early childhood education and making sure this scarce resource of our children is not
marginalised is extremely stupid,” he said. “We can talk about a shortage of money, but we do make choices to put money
into motorways and prisons. If we make those choices over and above early childhood education and children at risk, we
are heading for difficulty.”
Ms Snivelly called early education investment a “win, win, win”. She said the return investment for children under five
gave a higher return than any other.
“If we are going to invest in productivity in New Zealand, this is the area we should invest in to get a more productive
economy. It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to get this. Why isn’t it getting through?”
Mr Roberts questioned the value of New Zealand’s almost $10 million corrections budget, compared to early years
investment. “Why can we find money for these things and not for investment in early childhood education for our most
vulnerable children?” he said.
Economist Prue Hyman said investment in early education made economic sense for a wide range of reasons, including
reduced costs in special education, benefits, healthcare and crime; increased workforce participation of women resulting
in a higher tax take and an increase in the GDP.
“International evidence demonstrates that investing in good quality early childhood education can bring cost savings and
benefits to government and economies as well as to children and families,” she said.
Commenting on government’s recent funding cuts to quality early childhood education, Ms Hyman said: “Benefits will
reduce with lower quality. Fees will increase. Lower participation and lower benefits are a vicious cycle affecting
adversely society as a whole, the children and their parents.”
The forum was organised by the Early Education Federation, which represents around 20 national organisations, including
kindergarten, playcentre, home-based services, education and care centres and early childhood education training
organisations.
Forum organiser Helen Baxter said recent attacks on early childhood education funding meant the forum was timely and
necessary, as this month budget funding cuts begin to take effect on early childhood education services.
“The sector is concerned at cuts to early childhood education, and signals that there may be further cuts to come,” said
Helen Baxter.
New Zealand Kindergartens chief executive Clare Wells said the economic benefits of investment in quality early
education must not be underestimated.
“There is evidence of returns in terms of educational achievement, health, social adjustment, workforce participation,
and reduced crime rates, she said.
ends