NLIS 1
September 23, 2003
(Education)

 

A strong focus on adult literacy

Education Minister Gerry Reid took the opportunity today to provide an update on adult literacy initiatives sponsored by the department and its literacy partners.

"Individuals of all ages face literacy challenges, and it is our responsibility to ensure there are programs and projects out there to meet each individual�s learning needs," said Minister Reid. "The Literacy Branch at the Department of Education partners with federal, provincial and community organizations to improve the literacy levels of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

Last month, the department, in partnership with the National Literacy Secretariat, HRDC, announced the nine communities which will participate in the ABE/Level 1 pilot to work with a new program delivery model. Each site will receive $83,000 over a two-year period to pilot the project. This is in addition to approximately $200,000 in funding announced in July for other adult literacy centres throughout the province. The department is also involved in numerous other initiatives which address the needs of adult learners.

In August, the Department of Education sponsored a four-day professional development institute for instructors and tutors involved in the delivery of adult literacy. Presenters included representatives from literacy organizations, post-secondary institutions, teachers and government departments. This is the first time government has sponsored such an institute.

Supporting and encouraging literacy issues is also an important part of the provincial focus on literacy. To this end, the Literacy Branch, in partnership with the National Literacy Secretariat and the other Atlantic provinces, is hosting the 4th Atlantic Region Workplace/Workforce Institute in St. John�s this October. The theme is Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning. "Some adult learners who avail of literacy programming do so to develop and maintain their skills and competencies. They need to be able to adapt to developing trends and technologies in the workplace. By supporting workplace literacy, we are ultimately contributing to the prosperity of the province. This is the first time our province has hosted this event and we are excited about the potential for sharing ideas and learning from each other," noted Minister Reid.

"I had the pleasure of recently presenting the Individual Achievement Canada Post Literacy Award to Amy Clarke, a young woman working on improving her literacy skills so she can achieve her professional goals," said the minister. "It is people like Amy who provided the impetus for us to re-examine our delivery of ABE programming. She availed of one of the many learning opportunities available to adult learners in this province and has come out on top. We are pleased we are able to offer such a variety of literacy programs for all people of Newfoundland and Labrador"

Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-1906

2003 09 23                                        9:05 a.m.


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