Susan Supports Kinder Teachers

Gippsland West MP Susan Davies is supporting the kindergarten teacher campaign for pay increases and greater government funding for preschools.

Ms Davies met with a group of 30 kinder teachers and parents in her Wonthaggi electorate office today (Wednesday).

Ms Davies said she was sympathetic to the plight of preschool teachers, as well as parents and management committees who were shouldering the increasing financial burden and responsibility of operating preschool centres.

Ms Davies said that kindergarten teachers were obviously underpaid and overstretched.

'Kinder teachers play a vital role in early education, effectively preventing later problems and saving the education budget millions of dollars every year."

"Preschool teachers are deserving of pay appropriate for their training and professionalism."

The experiences of the group emphasised how bad conditions in preschools had become.

Wendy Ollington, an adminstrator at Wonthaggi Kindergarten described how she needed at least 16 hours per week to do a job she was employed for just 71/2 to do.

Another with nearly 6 years experience explained that she still earned less than $15 per hour.

Margaret Gatehouse added that the pressure placed on preschool teachers due to the transitory nature of kinder committees should also be compensated.

Lynn Ward from Phillip Island Kindergarten noted that, despite her 24 years experience, she earned roughly the same as a first year school teacher.

Ms Davies pointed the finger of responsibility at the former Kennett government.

"Two years ago, I urged former Community Services Minister Denis Napthine (now Leader of the Oppositon) to consider the genuine desperation of our kindergarten committees,” noted Ms Davies.

Ms Davies also tabled a petition in 1998 containing over 5000 signatures from parents all over Victoria fighting to secure the future of kindergartens state-wide.

The petition itself was the brainchild of Wonthaggi Kindergarten Secretary Sharyn Latham, who was inundated with calls of support after a letter entitled ‘Help Save Our Kinders’ was published in the Herald Sun newspaper in July 1998.

"During the Kennett Government's 7-year reign, funding for preschools was systematically eroded and teachers are taking action now because they feel that the Bracks Government will give them a fair hearing."

Ms Davies noted that within weeks of being elected, Community Services Minister Christine Campbell announced a $4 million, four-year preschool aid package, offering a yearly subsidy for low-income parents of around $250.

"However, this measure alone is not enough to ease the workload on kindergarten committees or their funding shortfall," Ms Davies added.

"I will continue to lobby the State Government to rectify the inadequacies of kindergarten funding and teachers' pay," Ms Davies concluded.

Photo: Wonthaggi children Eden and Morgan Roney (left) and Mirboo North kids Sam Pratt and Joel VanDerzal look on during the meeting between Gippsland West MP Susan Davies (3rd left) and local kindergarten teachers.