Province Celebrates Lifelong Learning on International Literacy Day

On Sunday, September 8, Newfoundland and Labrador is recognizing United Nations' International Literacy Day, a time to celebrate and remember the importance of literacy and lifelong learning. The theme this year is Literacies for the 21st Century.

“Literacy, learning, and education are priorities of the Provincial Government,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested more than $63 million in adult literacy initiatives to ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, no matter where they live, have every opportunity to achieve literacy and acquire the necessary skills to participate in our growing labour market.”

In 2013, Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a leader in the promotion of literacy. Affordable and accessible post-secondary education in Newfoundland and Labrador remains a model for the rest of Canada, thanks to an ongoing tuition freeze at College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University, needs-based grants, and interest-free student loans and debt-reduction initiatives.

Minister Shea noted that literacy skills give people confidence to drive their personal growth and development, and that by giving women and men the tools they need to reach their full potential, the province is building long-term economic success and prosperity.

“The Department of Education continues to support and promote family literacy through early childhood learning programs such as the parent resource kits initiative, which provides language development and literacy resources for children, beginning at birth; early literacy programs offered through our public libraries; and continued implementation of a renewed English Language Arts curriculum in our K-12 schools,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “We are also proud to note that Newfoundland and Labrador has 96 public libraries – more per capita than any other province in Canada – and that 86 per cent of the population have direct access to a library within 24 kilometres of their home.”

To learn more about literacy programs offered through the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, visit www.aes.gov.nl.ca/adultlearning/index.html. Information on early childhood learning programs can be viewed at: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/index.html.

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2013 09 06                                11:25 a.m.