Government releases Strategic Literacy Plan

"I am very pleased to release the Strategic Literacy Plan for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, entitled Words to Live By," said Education Minister Judy Foote today.

The plan is the result of a cooperative, collaborative effort of a steering committee made up of representatives of the Literacy Development Council, government departments, learners, providers, and other community agencies and was developed in consultation with literacy stakeholders. Words to Live By looks at literacy for all ages, both within and outside the formal education system and outlines strategic directions in the areas of early literacy, the formal K-12 system, and adult education, as well as a new approach to planning and coordination.

A total of 31 stakeholder and public meetings were held across Newfoundland and Labrador, and over 50 written submissions were received.

"The cooperative approach in putting the Strategic Literacy Plan together is indicative of government�s approach to the implementation of the plan. We look forward to working with the Literacy Development Council, the National Literacy Secretariat, school boards, the College of the North Atlantic, Memorial University and community-based organizations to reach our goal of raising the literacy levels of our province to be among the highest in the country," added Minister Foote.

The province has made significant gains in literacy in recent years:

Between 1978 and 1998, the percentage of the province�s population with high school graduation or above increased by 52 per cent compared to a 23 per cent increase for the rest of the country.

Over the same time period, the percentage of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with less than a grade nine education decreased by 51 per cent.

Recent data for the segment of the province�s population aged 15-24 show that 3.7 per cent of this group has less than a grade nine education compared to 4.9 per cent for the comparable Canadian segment.

"The numbers show that we are on our way to achieving our literacy goals in this province and today�s release of the Strategic Literacy Plan indicates government�s commitment to working to achieve those goals," said the minister.

Literacy is a key education issue and it has also been identified in the province�s Strategic Social Plan as an indicator of general well-being. Through its Strategic Social Plan, government has reaffirmed the importance of building a community�s capacity to help itself. In implementing the Strategic Literacy Plan, government and community will continue to work together to identify and address literacy priorities.

"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. The issue is fundamental to education � and so to the future of the province," said Minister Foote.

Media contact: Andrea Maunder, Director of Communications, (709) 729-0048.

2000 05 18                                     1:00 p.m.