Dobson calls on Education Minister to review current system for allocating pre-school places
Apr 23, 2012
Ulster Unionist Education Committee member, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA has said that the damaging effect of having an insufficient amount of pre-school nuersery place in Northern Ireland will remain for generations to come.
Speaking ahead of a debate on the matter in the Assembly, Jo-Anne said:
“This is a matter which is at the forefront of so many parents minds at the moment. The unmet need for funded nursery places is having a devastating effect on parents every year and the damage caused will show on our young children for generations to come.’
“After my election last May, I used my maiden speech in the Assembly to highlight the majors problems with nursery school provision in Northern Ireland. Whilst I am pleased that since then a Programme for Government commitment has been given to entitle every child to a funded pre-school place, it does not take away from the fact that children are being turned down for places and families are forced with big financial implications as a result of being denied a place for their child.’
“I would call on the Education Minister to give a commitment that, in line with the current Programme for Government, his Department will review the current process by which his Department gauge the demand for pre-school places.’
“The present system of allocating funded pre-school places is not working. It is denying many children the chance to get an early start in their educational journey, and this could have a life changing effect on many of this children.’
