Sunday, January 27 is National Family Literacy Day, an initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities with family. This year’s theme is “Take 20”.

To promote literacy related activities at school and at home, the Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development is encouraging students, parents and educators to take 20 minutes to make reading together an everyday activity.

The Provincial Government, through the Education Action Plan, supports a number of early learning and literacy initiatives. These include:

• Providing schools with enhanced teacher and student resources to support the development of reading skills;
• Providing support for 5 new reading specialists, 13.5 additional teacher-librarians and 54 teaching and learning assistants; and
• Providing support for five permanent program specialists with expertise in reading instruction at the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development also offers a K-12 literacy plan, Learning for a Lifetime, and Parent Resource Kits that encourage learning at home.

Supporting events such as National Family Literacy Day and providing resources for more specialists, librarians and learning assistants delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

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“Reading and participating in learning activities are essential for children to become successful in school and in their journey through life. We continue to make great progress in the implementation of our Education Action Plan, including an increase in early learning and literacy resources. I encourage students, educators and families throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to take the time to read and learn together.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

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Learn more
ABC Literacy Canada

Follow on Twitter: @GovNL and @EDU_GovNL

Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1692, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca