Minister announces increased access to Adult Basic Education

More residents of Newfoundland and Labrador will have the opportunity to advance their education with a $1.2 million investment in adult education. Joan Burke, Minister of Education, provided details today on an initiative for College of the North Atlantic to expand the number of sites where Adult Basic Education (ABE) Level I is offered.

A This is a significant contribution and reflects government' s commitment to adult education in this province," said Minister Burke. "Literacy for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is absolutely essential to ensure all communities are vibrant and productive. Providing appropriate access 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."

College of the North Atlantic currently offers full-time ABE Levels II and III day programs at 16 of its 17 campuses. Most of this new funding will be used to offer full-time day programs of ABE Level I at nine of the college' s locations. The remaining funding will be used to offer part-time ABE programming as needs are identified. Government�s White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education highlighted the need to make education more accessible to more people. This investment significantly increases the college' s overall capacity to offer ABE, and helps address the need and demand for this programming in the province.

Minister Burke noted that increasing access to Adult Basic Education is an essential component of addressing poverty. "Low literacy levels contribute to the difficulties many adults have in participating fully in our society. Our province�s results in the November 2005 report of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) were below the Canadian average and this investment is one way we can help adult learners increase their skill levels. Giving adults an opportunity to increase their skills opens new doors for them. Those who improve their literacy levels have a better opportunity to contribute to their communities, something government will continue to support as we work towards strengthening economic growth and diversity."

The nine full-time ABE Level I sites will be located in Springdale, Bonavista, Clarenville, Gander, Deer Lake, St. Anthony, North West River, Port aux Basques and St. John�s. These full-time ABE Level I sites at CNA will complement the nine community-based ABE Level I sites which also operate with provincial funding.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

ABE is a provincial program for adult learners consisting of three levels: Level I focuses on strengthening student�s basic literacy and numeracy skills in preparation for the higher ABE Levels; Level II is considered equivalent to junior high school; Level III corresponds to high school and requires a minimum of 36 credits in order to graduate.

The November 2005 International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) Report indicates that Newfoundland and Labrador is one in a group of jurisdictions with average proficiency scores in all literacy domains below the Canadian average and below Level III, the level considered to be desirable for individuals to function well in a modern economy and society. Approximately 55 per cent of the province�s population aged 16 and over is below Level III on prose literacy and 65 per cent is below Level III on numeracy. While many of the individuals who performed below Level III can and do participate in the economic and social life of the province, some may experience difficulties in a labour market that places an increasing premium on knowledge, skills and adaptability.

Currently the main delivery agents for the ABE Level I program are non-profit community-based centres under a funded-contract with the Department of Education. These sites are located in St. John�s, Marystown, Baie Verte, Corner Brook, Plum Point, and Stephenville and can accommodate approximately 140 full-time students per year based on a 12:1 student/instructor ratio and continuous in-take.

CNA currently offers ABE Level I on a full-time basis in Grand Falls-Windsor. With the expansion in 2006-07, CNA�s 10 sites will accommodate approximately 150 full-time students per year based on a similar practice of continuous in-take and a 12:1 student/instructor ratio.

Full-time ABE Levels II and III are currently offered at all campuses except Ridge Road.

CNA offers part-time evening courses in ABE Levels II and III at Prince Philip Drive, Corner Brook, and Bay St. George through four off-campus sites. Part-time expansion will be based on need.

2006 06 06                       12:15 p.m.