My values are Labour values.

I want to help build a stronger, more caring society. I am passionate about Dunedin, and I bring considerable energy and wide experience to the task of representing this electorate.

My diverse work background has given me an understanding of the economic and social levers that can be pulled to achieve meaningful change.

Please read some of the discussions included here. I welcome your comments.

- David Clark

education, labour party policy

2 February, 2011

Education is best investment

I’ve got an OpEd in the Otago Daily Times today, highlighting the way in which Dunedin families and children will be amongst the hardest hit by the Early Childhood Education funding cuts.

Sixty-nine quality early childhood centres in Dunedin, with 2900 children currently enrolled – will be forced to cut services, raise costs, or both. And this comes at a time when inflation added to the GST rise – means family budgets are being squeezed particularly hard. To read my piece click here.

Another must-read is a backgrounder to a NZ Herald OpEd last year.  Written by Margaret Carr and Linda Mitchell, it is one of the most succinct and accessible pieces I’ve read about the funding cuts.  Qualified teachers in early childhood centres: do we need them?  explains the importance of quality, and the effect of cutting $400 million to the education and care sector.

Labour has pledged to restore the funding. The next Labour government will put children and families at the centre of social policy.

1 COMMENT

1 comment on ‘Education is best investment’

  1. 5 February, 2011
    Jo

    Well said, David.

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