Adult literacy in 91原创 is getting a boost with funds from the provincial government.

The money will increase access for more learners to improve reading, writing, math, and digital skills.

The 91原创 School District Foundation is receiving funding for two programs, including Community One-on-One Learning (COOL), and Talk with Me, Play with Me, Learn with Me, a program in which parents foster literacy in their children through various activities.

鈥�91原创鈥檚 adult learning programs enrich the lives of newcomer families and other adult learners in 91原创 providing support, opportunity for connection, improved career opportunities, and better health outcomes,鈥� said Megan Dykeman, MLA for 91原创 East. 鈥淔unding for programs such as COOL and Talk with Me, Play with Me, Learn with Me provides essential support and enhances the strength and resiliency of our community.鈥�

Dykeman is also the former chair of the 91原创 School District which created the foundation to benefit local public school students.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud that there are so many training and work opportunities for British Columbians, and we want to make sure they鈥檙e accessible to everyone鈥� said Andrew Mercier, MLA for 91原创. 鈥淎dult literacy programs can be the first step for people to access life-changing opportunities right here in B.C.鈥�

These community-based, adult, family and Indigenous literacy programs help people gain skills in basic literacy, numeracy, life skills and employment preparation. The programs are delivered by trained volunteers and include one-on-one-tutoring and small-group classes.

The province invests $3.4 million annually to support the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP). In 2023-24, this funding will support 102 adult literacy programs to be delivered by 71 providers in 132 communities around B.C. that will support more than 16,000 people in the province. This annual investment builds on last year鈥檚 97 programs in 128 communities.

鈥� READ MORE: EDITORIAL - Literacy is a critical skill

Facts about literacy, adult literacy program funding in B.C.

鈥� 45 per cent of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty understanding newspapers, following instruction manuals, reading health information and other daily living tasks.

鈥� 52 per cent of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty calculating interest on a car loan, using information on a graph, calculating medicine dosage and other daily living tasks.

In 2023-24, the $3.4 million annual funding will support 102 programs delivered by 71 providers in 132 communities throughout the province.

The Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP) provides free basic English-language classes for newcomers, work permit holders and refugee claimants to support people new to B.C. and help set them up for success.

Since 2017, the Community Adult Literacy Program has served more than 21,800 core learners and since 2020, the program has served more than 12,000 drop-in learners throughout the province.

In 2021-22, CALP programs served more than 4,250 learners:

鈥� 20.9 per cent identified as Indigenous;

鈥� 72.3 per cent female and 26.3 per cent male;

鈥� 40.0 per cent employed, 33.4 per cent unemployed and 15.6 per cent retired; and

鈥� 47.8 per cent had previously completed some post-secondary education or skills training.

鈥� READ MORE: It鈥檚 鈥榥ever too early, never too late鈥� to learn financial literacy, experts say

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