March 22, 1999
(Education)

$500,000 announced for Literacy Strategy

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has allocated $500,000 for the provincial Strategic Literacy Plan.

Government recognizes that an educated population is vital to the future prosperity of our province. Literacy skills are important to employment, citizenship and family life. Fundamental to education � and so to the future of the province, is the issue of literacy.

The Strategic Social Plan identified literacy as a priority. In 1998, the Literacy Strategic Planning Unit was established which worked with the Literacy Development Council and a government-community steering committee to develop, in consultation with stakeholders, the Strategic Literacy Plan. A new position of Assistant Deputy Minister - Literacy was created to carry forward this initiative.

Media contact: Nancy Healey, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

1999 03 22                                 4:30 p.m.