MEDIA RELEASE

15 June 2000

SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN SHORT CHANGED

“The budget for schooling has done no more than bring the level of funding back to the level provided by the 1998 budget,” New Zealand First Education spokesperson, Hon Brian Donnelly said today.

“As far as the schooling sector is concerned this budget means absolutely nothing. Funding remains at the same real level as in 1998.”

“This is a smoke and mirrors budget. Government members have raised expectations by pre-budget statements and then cruelly dashed those expectations by delivering no more resources that the 1998 budget.” said Mr Donnelly.

ENDS

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUNDING DIMINISHES

“The funding allocation for early childhood education announced in today’s budget does not even cover the costs of inflation” said New Zealand First Education spokesperson, Hon Brian Donnelly.

Simply to cover the cost of inflation the Government needed to have increased early childhood education funding by at least $30million. The $10million increase announced is a backward step.

“What this budget clearly shows is that this Government knows that children don’t vote” said Mr Donnelly

ENDS

© Scoop Media