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September 8, 2010

Minister Recognizes International Literacy Day with
Presentation of Literacy Award

In celebration of International Literacy Day, the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, joined representatives of Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador and members of the literacy community for a proclamation signing. Minister King also presented this year's Council of the Federation (COF) Literacy Award to Robin Grant, executive and artistic director, and founder of For the Love of Learning Incorporated.

"I offer my congratulations to Ms. Grant, and on behalf of those she has helped and creatively inspired through For the Love of Learning, I thank her for her contribution and continued dedication to supporting literacy in our province," said Minister King. "One size does not fit all when it comes to education and learning. Ms Grant recognizes this and has made the development of reading and writing skills an integral part of her organization's mandate. Ms. Grant recognizes, as we do, that with solid literacy skills, anyone can succeed."

The COF Literacy Award recognizes outstanding contributions made by Canadians across the entire spectrum of the literacy field, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace and community literacy. Each year, the award is presented to educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations or businesses in each province and territory.

"Literacy is the cornerstone for all success," said Minister King. "It opens up opportunities to learn, to succeed, and to contribute to society. Strong literacy skills ensure our people prosper and our communities remain productive. This is why the Provincial Government is making significant investments in literacy and adult learning."

Approximately $40 million has been allocated for literacy since 2004. This includes funding to expand Adult Basic Education Level I (ABE) and the Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) College Transition program at College of the North Atlantic, as well as $500,000 per year in adult literacy grants which are provided to community-based organizations.

A scholarship program was also introduced to help GED, CAS or ABE graduates with the cost of post-secondary education, funded by the Provincial Government and the Labour Market Agreement. For 2010-11, $100,000 in grants are available through this program. As well, an adult literacy plan has been developed and will be released in the coming months.

"Our government is investing significantly in literacy initiatives," said Minister King, "But we cannot do it alone. Like any good plan, it will take team work to succeed, with each partner — people like Robin Grant — contributing individual strengths to reach the common goal. We depend on community organizations, the federal government and engaged corporate citizens to truly create a culture of learning and literacy that provides education for all."

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Photo 1: The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, presents Council of the Federation Literacy Award to this year's recipient, Robin Grant.

Photo 2: The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, signs proclamation of International Literacy Day with stakeholders from the literacy community. Front Row: Tom Dawe — Executive Director of Teachers on Wheels, Minister King, Caroline Vaughan — Executive Director of Literacy NL. Back Row: Margaret Bartlett — adult learner at New Beginnings ABE program (Stella Burry Community Services), Jessica Lee Middleman — instructor at New Beginnings ABE program, Robin Grant

Media contact:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca 


BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information on Robin Grant

Robin Grant is a professional writer, researcher, producer and editor. Ms. Grant has a bachelor of arts (English) from Memorial University and a journalism degree from King's College. A dedicated community activist, Ms. Grant has a special interest in youth and the elderly. Combining her passion for learning, the arts, and activism, she founded and voluntarily runs For the Love of Learning, Incorporated, an arts based not-for-profit organization dedicated to the education and employment of resilient youth.

In May, 2008, Ms. Grant was short-listed as one of three national finalists in the social action category of Canadian Living magazine's Me to We awards for her work with For the Love of Learning. Ms. Grant was also profiled in the January 2009 issue of Chatelaine magazine. The article entitled How One Woman Made a Difference , focused on Canadians working to help improve literacy skills in Canada.

2010 09 08                                                   1:25 p.m.
 


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