[PASSED] The Early Learning Act

[The Eternal Kawaii]

In the Name of the Eternal Kawaii, may the Cute One be praised

We rise in opposition to this proposal, on the grounds that violates the consciences of member states. We note these operative clauses:

(4) INSTRUCTS the Global Initiative for Basic Education (a division of the WA General Accounting Office) to curate a registrar of member nations currently unable to economically support the requirements for early learning facilities laid out in this document;

(5) COMMANDS the WA General Accounting Office to allocate and provide funds to the nations on this registrar to comply with this legislation, so long as the recipient nation used the funds solely to establish and support early learning facilities.

While we understand the sentiment expressed in this proposal, we must ask why our nation should be required to fund the early education programs of other nations, some of whom espouse values we believe should not be taught to children? If Kawaiian money is to be used to teach children, why should we not expect Kawaiian values be taught with it?

[Av2]

I do not support this act because pre-public education should be by parental choice, and privitely funded, not under the governement budget, though this does not mean we do not strongely support a good education it is that it should not be given by the governement, though we would provide support for another bill so long as its still parental choice and it is private with only small governement funding, better test scores in education after thier in public schools, higher scores = more funding, also an option to take out the parts of curriculam (example we do not want our children to focus on a prettier more emiotanal world/ preparring for real world were the amount of none emtional people are a mojority) and yes there are still good people in world, if im missing something to disprove of one of my points please let me know.

[Av2]

In the Name of the Eternal Kawaii, may the Cute One be praised

We rise in opposition to this proposal, on the grounds that violates the consciences of member states. We note these operative clauses:

(4) INSTRUCTS the Global Initiative for Basic Education (a division of the WA General Accounting Office) to curate a registrar of member nations currently unable to economically support the requirements for early learning facilities laid out in this document;

(5) COMMANDS the WA General Accounting Office to allocate and provide funds to the nations on this registrar to comply with this legislation, so long as the recipient nation used the funds solely to establish and support early learning facilities.

While we understand the sentiment expressed in this proposal, we must ask why our nation should be required to fund the early education programs of other nations, some of whom espouse values we believe should not be taught to children? If Kawaiian money is to be used to teach children, why should we not expect Kawaiian values be taught with it?

Exactly another good point

[Retired WerePenguins]

Members of the General Assembly,

I have been instructed by Faithful Navigator Betty Black to vote for this resolution. I believe her exact words were "Damn it James, you can't be contrarian on everything!"

I believe she is right; had I had early learning I probably would want to vote for this resolution. Then again, I wouldn't have joined the Navy seals, the intelligence agencies, the Assembly of Senators and risen up the chair ranks until the point where that (CENSORED) took away my position as Captain and stuck me here so I didn't try for the Pilot position.

[Auralia]

WA funding for preschools is silly. Opposed.

[Of the Quendi]

Lady Malréd’s expression grew more and more resigned as she followed the voting on the Early Learning Act. How could so enormous an amount of WA member states support a proposal that would send a huge bill back to their own states. She felt inclined to rise from her seat screaming at the seeming endless stream of big spenders in the faint hope of instilling some sense of fiscal responsibility in them. But as her previous attempts had not worked she decided on a different strategy as her last resort effort before preparing for the seemingly inevitable.

”A point that has not been raised in this debate concerns the definition of early learning facilities.” The SMFAWA, hiding her desperation well behind a courteous and bureaucratic demeanor, spoke.

DEFINING early learning facilities as facilities following all of these requirements:
(a) Facilities serving children too young for primary education, as determined by national custom,
(b) Facilities in settings outside the home or family,
(c) Facilities that educate through a mixture of learning through play and age-appropriate educational lessons,
(d) Facilities focused on helping children develop in five key areas:
(i) Social: forming attachments, creating relationships with, and cooperating with others,
(ii) Physical: development of motor skills,
(iii) Intellectual: learning to make sense of the physical world,
(iv) Creative: development of talents in areas including music, art, reading, and mathematics,
(v) Emotional: development of self-awareness, self-confidence, and the ability to cope with feelings,

”I see two issues with this definition. The first being section B that mandates that a facility must be located outside of the home or family. Plenty of countries, my own included, has very large extended families and it is not at all unusual for parents to pick early learning facilities operated by an aunt or grandmother. According to this proposal that sort of early learning will not be financed. While I will not go so far as to say that the resolution is an attack on the family it certainly has a very narrow definition of what constitutes an early learning facility.” Malréd, somewhat uncertain of herself as non-economic issues with the proposal did not much interest her, spoke.

”Further.” She added. ”Since an early learning facility must develop children in all of the five areas mentioned I worry if not a large number of early learning facilities can be excluded due to a lack of focus on one or more areas. In that regard I am particularly worried about the fifth area, though others could prove problematic as well. Thank you.” The SMFAWA insisted. It was her last attempt to stop what she considered a horrid proposal and should it continue its unstoppable advance through the General Assembly she would adopt more drastic measures.

[Ribberstan]

As the representative of The Holiest Ribberstan, I object to this 'Act' and have voted against it. I believe this would be an attack on Ribberstans economy. By requiring early education, we would be robbing ourselves of a vital section of our workforce. Why, who else will replace them in our munitions and textile factories.Not to mention farming, bowlingpin setting and chimney sweeps.[They are also a great substitute for pumpkins in drought years] However, I digress. If we could use the mandated funding for 'occupational training', that would give these little Dickons a running start when they enter our workforce. We are only looking out for the welfare of our children, of course. Blessed be, and long live Ribberstan

[Linux and the X]

While we are in support of the ideals of this proposal, it unfortunately requires that early learning institutions meet the demands of parents and guardians, rather than of the actual students. For this reason, we vote against.

[Conservative Idealism]

I can't believe 7,000 nations have been swindled into believing that this socialist malarkey is what's best for every WA member.

The fact of the matter is, the entirety of Conservative Idealism's schools are already private, and function very well without any government intervention whatsoever; however, this mandate will introduce a flurry of government-run preschools my nation doesn't need. What's more, my nation's people will have to start paying more taxes in order to fund the preschools of other nations in my region. That's just not cricket.

[Discoveria]

Matthew was about to rise from his seat to deliver another criticism of the proposal, when an insistent flashing from his notebook computer caught his attention:

TO: Matthew Turing, Discoverian WA Office
FROM: Jim Keynes, Discoverian Office for Finance and Industry
CC: Val Avogadro, Discoverian Office of Public Services; Roy Schwann, Discoverian Office of Foreign Affairs
SUBJECT: The Early Learning Act - a golden opportunity

---

Mr. Turing,

OFI, OPS and OFA department managers have been discussing the likely outcome of the WA resolution currently at vote, and the appropriate response the Utopian Commonwealth should take. We have come to a consensus that the 'Cowardly-Alqanian Solution' represents an excellent opportunity to boost development in communities across Discoveria.

The Cowardly-Alqanian Solution will be implemented as follows:

1. OPS will allocate its budget away from early learning facilities to other educational priorities.
2. Your Office will provide evidence to the Global Initiative for Basic Education that the Utopian Commonwealth is "currently unable to economically support the requirements for early learning facilities".
3. WA funding for the creation of "early learning facilities" will be channelled into the construction of new early learning facilities and the services required to support a world-benchmark standard of early learning. OPS will plan for a generous number of large, modern 'early learning facilities' to be constructed, especially in underdeveloped areas of the Utopian Commonwealth.
4. When The Early Learning Act is repealed on the basis of its flaws (which OFA considers very likely), the extra early-learning facilities will be converted into other public buildings and services, or sold privately to balance Discoverian public spending.

We expect the boost to the Discoverian economy to far outweigh the cost of increased contributions to the WA General Fund and the organisational problems that the Cowardly-Alqanian Solution may create. You are accordingly instructed to consider changing Discoveria's vote to one FOR the passage of The Early Learning Act.

Yours in Science,

Jim Keynes
Secretary, Office for Finance and Industry
a governmental Office of the Utopian Commonwealth of Discoveria

[Cowardly Pacifists]

After much internal debate, the Cowardly Pacifists will do the popular thing and vote FOR the Early Learning Act.

We reiterate that the author has done a good job of ensuring that the proposal does not force unwilling nations to provide early learning facilities. Nations must simply "fulfill a demand" for such services "by whatever means the individual member nation sees fit." Nations that abhor governmental education programs might rightly insist that parents who want these facilities go out and raise funds on their own. After all, if there is sufficient demand, the free market should rise to the occasion.

Our biggest concern is over the opening of the General Fund to pay for Early Learning facilities. We are very concerned about the potential financial liability if member nations request massive amounts of funding to fulfill the early learning demand in their nation. We've already pointed out that nations need only allocate all their revenues to other programs to be "unable" to fund early learning and thus eligible for WA money.

We can only hope that the demand for early learning services is modest enough (i.e. there's no demand for outlandish things like a private tutor for each child, or an Olympic sized training pool) that the drain on WA resources will not become unmanageable.

[Lukevania]

The Confederacy has decided that this Socialism will not stand. If it passes, we propose an immediate repeal.

[Sardakhar]

80% in favor of the resolution and Sardakhar is one of them! (Very) hopefully the margin will become even greater!

[Gardina]

Against this nonsense. The states responsibility to offer education starts at the point the child enters the education system, what you are trying to do here is force us to provide daycare which is the responsibility of parents. You also increase the likelyhood of states legislating to force children to attend these new facilities, otherwise they will have spent all this money simply to serve the WA bureaucracy where there is no need for it.

Ambassador Saunders

Gardina is absolutely appalled that you would be against such a wonderful bill. The need for education in the world is so great, we must start earlier and earlier. The education system across the world is not large enough to handle this, and it must start at the state level.
(This is probably the one WA bill Gardina agrees with.)

[Urelia]

The Reich is somewhat disappointed by these turn of events, not only does this act force the reich to care about matters which should rightfully be in hands of parents, it also forces the reich to consider giving every last child in our great nation a preschool education, this is plain folly! Do all children need education? Are they capable enough to be of service to the reich? Do their PARENTS want them to have education? The Kaiser votes Nay!

[Of the Quendi]

The Confederacy has decided that this Socialism will not stand. If it passes, we propose an immediate repeal.

Demonstratively Lady Malréd had been typing agressively on her laptop for quite some time as the Lukevanian ambassador spoke in favor of a repeal. "I wholeheartedly agree with the embassy from Lukevania and I am already working on it. No later than the minute after this proposal passes …” Malréd proclaimed, only to be interrupted by an aide. ”Milady the vote ends very early in the morning in our time zone.” He informed his boss. Unphased Malréd continued; ”No later than a couple of hours after this proposal passes will the Quendi WA Embassy submit a draft for a repeal for the consideration of this most august assembly. This proposal cannot be allowed to be implemented for the ample good reasons that has already been given.”

[Scootaworld]

The government of Scootaworld is proud to vote for this act, which will help towards the final goal of securing universal early education.

[Conservative Idealism]

The Confederacy has decided that this Socialism will not stand. If it passes, we propose an immediate repeal.

And the repeal will have my support.

[United Federation of Canada]

WA funding for preschools is silly. Opposed.

Oh but the World Assembly becoming a World Bank, or having to pay nations to meet every 10 years to talk about nothing isn't?

Wow does the hypocrisy run thick.

[West Angelina]

We West Angelina, as a federation of provinces, longing to ensure the social welfare of our people, will approve this Act to improve the education system of our Federal Republic.

Without good investments in education, our beautiful country could not improve the standard of living of our citizens.

[Of the Quendi]

We West Angelina, as a federation of provinces, longing to ensure the social welfare of our people, will approve this Act to improve the education system of our Federal Republic.

Without good investments in education, our beautiful country could not improve the standard of living of our citizens.

"Then invest your own damn money instead of stealing mine." Malréd discourteously grunted.

[Zero-0ne]

I vote against the early education programe.Because many nations cant fund large scale projects like these because its just to expensive.

[Delegate Vinage]

Shame this is going to pass because it's crap. Oh well.... voted NAY

[Wekiva]

While the Federal Republic of Wekiva promotes early childhood development in all nations, we must vote Against this resolution. We recognize that it has become easy for nations to strike down proposals because of their "one size fits all approach". We admit that the resolution is certainly well constructed by allowing parents to keep their children at home, and that you could argue that this isn't necessarily another "one size fits all" resolution. However it basically demands that nations construct, maintain, and regulate pre-schools.

While not directly stating that nations MUST build them, It's leaving the decision to be made directly by the parents of a nation. We believe that if the parents and the nation have a strong enough desire for early learning centers, than the government will provide them. And if the nation can't afford what it believes is needed, in this case pre-schools, than the WA can fund them. However what about the long term? And what if the nation needs to divert attention to more important matters? According to this, as long as the parents (a special interest group) want pre-schools, The nation or the WA will be forced to provide them. In the long term, the nation could become economically unstable or become engulfed in war, and will the nation or the WA still be required to pay for the maintenance and regulation of nation-wide early learning facilities? Does the resolution mention if a nation can stop their early learning programs if need be, when they are already in place?

Ultimately, we feel this proposal is unnecessary. With some changes however, addressing certain issues, we could support a proposal like this. We also feel it sets a precedent that if a certain special interest group (like parents) decides for the nation as a whole that it requires something, the nation or WA must meet their demands. This resolution has promise and a good cause, but unacceptable in it's current form.

[Cinnibar]

Apparently, i will have to disagree 87% on this one due to the fact we can neither use this early education system due to more people disagreeing with the idea and the fact that more parents would have to wake up early and lose more sleep over this ideal. But then again, we might be wrong.