New kindergarten program for disadvantaged 4 year olds on the horizon

A program is in the works to give children who live in disadvantaged areas the chance to start kindergarten at the age of 4.

According to the Gazette, the P.Q. is introducing Bill 23 to try and curb the dropout rate at high school levels.

Education Minister, Marie Malavoy told the media on Thursday that 1200 children who come from low-income families will be admitted.

This will continue on a yearly basis until all 8000 disadvantaged children from across the province are admitted.

Head of the Quebec daycare federation, Gina Gasparini doesn’t agree with the proposal.

She thinks investing in more 7-dollar-a-day daycare places would be more suitable for low-income families. A daycare centre can offer parents advice as part of their service, something Bill 23 lacks.

The voluntary program would begin in September of this year. The Education department is investing $8 million dollars yearly to start and then $20 million dollars yearly when the program is fully operational.

Flickr Photo by: Parti Québécois (officiel)