January 19, 2000
(Health and Community Services)
(Human Resources and Employment)

Funding for Rabbittown Learners Program

Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Finance and MHA - St. John�s North, on behalf of the Minister of Human Resources and Employment Julie Bettney and the Minister of Health and Community Services Roger Grimes, today presented the Rabbittown Learners� Program with $20,000 funding for this current fiscal year.

Funding for Adult Basic Education (ABE) at the Rabbittown Learners� Program was discontinued by the federal government on July 1, 1999. To date, the Department of Education has provided $55,000 to Rabbittown through the Literacy Development Council.

"Government is in the process of beginning an evaluation of the Rabbittown Learners� Program," noted Minister Matthews. "The departments of Human Resources and Employment and Health and Community Services are also conducting a best practices in ABE survey. Both should be completed by the end of March, and from there government will consider what additional funds, if any, may be provided for the 2000/2001 fiscal year."

Contact: Paula Dyke, Communications, (709) 729-0329.

2000 01 19                                         4:55 p.m.