In essence, the education department argues that the quality of the education children receive is irrelevant, as long as someone stands in front of the class.

It's as big a scandal, for example, as the voluntary severance packages in schools which stripped education of so many skills and experience at the cost of billions of rands, and the schools system hasn't recovered.

Investing in high-quality early childhood education has extraordinary returns, not only for Virginia's children, but also for our workforce and economy. The best investments are made in community-grown programs that truly meet local needs.

Economic prosperity and quality education for our children are inexorably linked.

It's quite some spare part. We're delighted to be able to get this. It has been a small miracle.

If they were unanimous in their rejection we would close the door.