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If program is suspended Headstart can only take half of the kindergarten
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Posted on May 14 1999
The Headstart program in the CNMI was working to accommodate at least half of the current population of the kindergarten program in the Public School System.
According to Director Dino Taitano, after the government and PSS officials expressed plans to expand Headstart in the absence of a kindergarten program, it considered to increase its population up to 800 students.
This federal funded program maintains 559 students each year for the entire CNMI.
“If it came down to it, we can increase our enrollment up to 800,” he said.
The increase would only translate to accommodate half of the current population of around 600 students enrolled in the kindergarten program of PSS.
It will likewise admit children, ages 3 to 5 years old, from income qualified families. The federal government sets the program’s enrollment requirements, allotting 80 percent of its population from cash strap families.
The increase would also require daily double sessions to keep up with its enrollment. Headstart has 11 centers on Saipan, including those located within the campuses of William S. Reyes, Oleai, Tanapag and San Antonio.
Taitano cited the Headstart program in Kagman, where 40 students either attend the morning or afternoon session to maintain the standard class size.
However, despite the program’s willingness to welcome additional students, Headstart remains uncertain over the number of its personnel who will be on board next school year.
“We wanted to have the children but we are not ready,” he said.
The program was affected by last year’s shake-up of teacher aides in the PSS. Although, the Board of Education explored to introduce hourly wage for teacher aides, PSS honored their existing contracts and reminded the group to comply with the requirements provided for in the memorandum of understanding. Teacher Aides are required to earn credits in education leading to their eventual completion of a B.A. degree in teaching while in service.
According to Taitano, Headstart will need to complete its staffing requirements for next school year considering a number of vacancies by the end of this term.
In addition, the program doesn’t have a bus service to provide children with free transportation.
