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VICTORIA – The Province will provide more than $1.6 million to fund regional literacy co-ordinators at 16 public post-secondary institutions to enhance co-ordination and delivery of adult literacy programs, Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell announced today.
“There are a wide range of services and programs to improve literacy
from childhood through to adulthood, but regions are often faced with
challenges matching up people with the programs and services they need and
making all the various literacy programs work together efficiently,” Coell
said. “In his recently released report on the progress of the government’s
literacy plan, the auditor general noted that progress is being made, and
recommended government work with all of its education partners to build a
seamless adult education system.”
Currently, part-time RLCs co-ordinate and support the Community Adult
Literacy Program. CALP, funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, allows
community-based organizations to partner with public post-secondary
institutions to deliver literacy programming at the community level. RLCs also
provide professional development, build partnerships to create capacity for
literacy delivery, support literacy programs, and develop public awareness
about literacy.
The new and expanded positions will enhance the degree of co-ordination
within each region and support curriculum development, learner assessment and
performance monitoring. The RLCs will help to lay the foundation for
implementation of workplace literacy and essential skills initiatives. They
will foster public awareness and promote increased participation of learners,
service providers, business and industry in helping British Columbians improve
their literacy levels.
“Colleges play an important role linking the world of work with the
world of learning,” said Cindy Oliver, president of the Federation of Post
Secondary Educators of B.C. “Their connections with school districts, communities
and workplaces make them the logical place to co-ordinate adult literacy
initiatives.”
The
Ministry of Advanced Education has been given responsibility for leadership in
promoting literacy and essential skill initiatives in the workplace. Essential
skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people
to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change. They include: reading
text, document use, numeracy, writing, oral communication, working with others,
thinking skills, computer use and continuous learning.
Since 2001, the government has invested over $130 million in literacy
for British Columbians through the Province’s literacy strategy, ReadNow BC.
These programs have delivered approximately $32 million in literacy funding for
schools, teachers, parents and others; $25 million for new textbooks; $30
million for early learning; $25 million for adult literacy; and $15 million for
libraries.
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Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6400 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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