Children must see, says minister

Nick Smith was kicked out of school for want of a pair of glasses. Now, as Minister of Education, he is making sure that young children have the vision needed to survive and learn in the school system, with a new subsidy that will help to pay for glasses for kids aged under 6.

"As a 9-year-old I was kicked out of school for having a fight with a kid when I was trying to get a spot in the front row of the classroom," he said. "Unbeknown to me, I couldn't see properly, and I was a C-grade student.

"Subsequently, the principal sorted out what the fight was over and insisted I was eye-tested, and so I got glasses. Suddenly my grades went from very mediocre to very good," said Dr Smith.

The memory of this early ordeal encouraged him to push the subsidy through when the Budget was being compiled.

"This personal experience was a major motivation in me trying to get this issue addressed." The minister went on to gain a PhD in civil engineering from Canterbury University.

Families on a community services card, or a high-use health card, will be eligible to receive up to $200 per child each year to help pay for eye tests and glasses. - Theresa Garner