HARRISBURG, PA — Amid the excitement of an Easter Egg Hunt at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence on Wednesday, Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro underscored a vital message: the importance of early childhood education. The annual event, drawing pre-K students, teachers, and advocates from across the Commonwealth, served not just as a moment of joy but as a platform for advocating significant investments in Pre-K programs.
The Shapiro administration has made it clear that building safe, healthy communities in Pennsylvania begins with supporting its youngest residents and those who educate them. Addressing critical workforce shortages in early childhood education is also a priority, with the Governor fighting for increased funding to ensure that Pennsylvania’s children have the best start in life.
In his remarks, Governor Shapiro highlighted his budget proposal, which seeks an additional $30 million investment in the Pre-K Counts program and $2.7 million for the Head Start initiative. These funds aim to expand access to high-quality, affordable, and accessible pre-K education, benefiting both students and educators. “Well-funded early childhood education programs prepare Pennsylvania students for success and support our teachers and workforce at the same time – and that’s why my budget invests in these areas. This is commonsense – let’s get it done,” Shapiro stated.
First Lady Lori Shapiro echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the transformative power of early childhood education for families and workers throughout Pennsylvania. As parents themselves, the Shapiros understand the profound impact educational opportunities can have on a child’s development. Recognizing the dedication and commitment of Pennsylvania’s educators, the First Lady expressed gratitude for their role in nurturing the state’s future generations.
This year’s Easter Egg Hunt, conducted in partnership with Pre-K for PA, not only offered fun activities like a reading station and live animal exhibits but also brought attention to the challenges facing early childhood educators. Steve Doster, State Director for ReadyNation and a principal partner in the Pre-K for PA Campaign, pointed out the wage disparities that pre-K teachers face compared to their K-5 counterparts in public schools. Doster voiced support for Governor Shapiro’s proposed investment as a crucial step toward closing this gap and ensuring adequate staffing levels for state-funded pre-K programs.
The event at the Governor’s Residence was more than a festive celebration; it was a call to action for the betterment of early childhood education in Pennsylvania. By spotlighting the need for increased investment in Pre-K and Head Start programs, Governor Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro aim to catalyze change that will provide Pennsylvania’s children with the educational foundation they deserve. As discussions around the proposed budget continue, the hope is that these investments will lead to a brighter future for the state’s youngest learners and the dedicated educators who guide them.
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