ABE Grants Announced

Community groups throughout the province will benefit this year from more than $500,000 in grants for Adult Basic Education (ABE) Level I and adult literacy tutoring. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, announced today that 11 organizations will receive funding, ranging from $36,000 to $86,000.

�Adult Basic Education and one-on-one tutoring can be extremely beneficial for anyone wanting to strengthen their literacy skills,� said Minister Burke. �Some of these programs offer basic literacy training, while others are geared toward people who want to pursue a post-secondary education. They offer an opportunity for individual growth and for people to more fully participate in and contribute to their communities.�

Minister Burke noted that this investment is in addition to the more than $6 million this year for ABE I, II and III at College of the North Atlantic. In addition, $140,000 was allocated in Budget 2007 to develop a provincial strategic adult literacy plan. The Williams Government is committed to removing barriers that prevent adults from improving their skills and education, recognizing that a highly-educated population is the key to this province�s economic future.

Minister Burke said, �I commend these organizations and the many volunteers who contribute their time and talents to helping individuals improve their literacy skills. Providing appropriate support to literacy programs is an important part of our social and economic agenda, and we will continue our efforts to develop an environment which promotes literacy for all people.�

The following groups have received funding for ABE and one-on-one tutoring:

• Community Education Network, Stephenville
• The Employment Preparation Centre, Corner Brook
• Dunfield Park Community Centre, Corner Brook
• Baie Verte Peninsula Economic Development Association, Baie Verte
• Burin Peninsula Laubach Literacy Council, Marystown
• St. John�s Learning Centre, St. John�s
• Stella Burry Community Services, St. John�s
• Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf, St. John�s
• Rabbittown Learners Program, St. John�s
• Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council, Corner Brook
• Teachers on Wheels, St. John�s

-30-

Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2007 10 22                               10:10 a.m.