Provincial Government Reaffirms Commitment to
Adult Learning and Post-Secondary Education

In recognition of the importance of effective adult learning and quality post-secondary education, the Provincial Government reaffirmed its commitment today to work collaboratively with students who are expressing concerns on these same issues.

“Securing educational opportunities, encouraging lifelong learning, and advancing literacy throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are key priorities of our government because they open the door to long-term success,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice, on behalf of the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “We will continue to work with students to advance our long-term plan to provide better, viable, and more effective supports to help people overcome challenges and barriers to employment.”

Through Budget 2013, the Provincial Government is allocating over $466 million to enhance skills and training at the post-secondary level including the continuation of a tuition freeze at College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University for the 2013-14 academic year. Memorial University undergraduate tuition fees are approximately 53 per cent lower than the national average, while College of the North Atlantic tuition fees are approximately 49 per cent lower than the national average.

The Provincial Government is also developing new approaches this year for educational upgrading and employment supports that will help people find work. As part of this approach, the Department of Advanced Education and Skills is changing the delivery of the provincial Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, which will include moving the program out of College of the North Atlantic and engaging new training providers both in the private and non-profit sectors through a Request for Proposals process.

“We want to assure students that the ABE curriculum itself is not changing and that eligibility requirements for funding will also remain the same at private providers and non-profit organizations as they have been at College of the North Atlantic,” said Minister King. “In the coming weeks, department staff will be meeting with students to develop a transition plan that will ensure the switch to a different training institution is as smooth as possible. Working together, we will continue to empower people through quality adult learning and help them seek opportunities in our thriving economy.”

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2013 04 10             5:20 p.m.