XN000022-1995-05-09 — Page 8

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"As to those Qualified Kindergarten Teachers currently paid below the minimum point of the current scale at MPS 10, of which there are about 650, they have been expecting that their pay will be raised to that point upon the introduction of the Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme.

"Such expectation is not unreasonable and we shall ensure that as long as their kindergartens have joined the subsidy scheme, their pay is adjusted to MPS 10," the spokesman said.

"Arrangements have also been made to enable the new scales for child care workers to be introduced in September 1995 to coincide with those for kindergarten teachers.

"The introduction of the new pay scales for child care workers, together with the resultant allowances for child care workers in special and residential child care centres and the costs associated with additional training needs will require additional resources on a full-year basis of about $56 million."

The spokesman said the new pay scales should be considered as a package to harmonise different salary scales of child care workers and kindergarten teachers.

"The provision of a new Training Pay Scale will give Unqualified Kindergarten Teachers an immediate increase in salary ($565 per month) and increments while training (at present UKTS stay on MPS 1 for three years). This should go a long way to reduce the current high wastage rate of UKTs.

"The new Kindergarten Principal scale going well above the existing limit of MPS 18 should be welcomed since about one third of existing QKTs are in fact principals.

"Child care workers and Child Care Supervisors will receive increased salaries in recognition of their qualifications, training and responsibilities."

End/Tuesday, May 9, 1995