Volume 3, number 7, Winter 2001 - 2002
Literacy is political
In worker-centred literacy, curriculum is first and foremost a political issue. That's because education isn't neutral, no matter who provides it. Seeds for Change: A Curriculum Guide for Worker-Centred Literacy, the latest resource from the CLC's Learning in Solidarity series, is about the union approach to course development and content.
Unions and business have different views about curriculum. Business usually
defines literacy in the context of productivity and profit. But the union believes
a worker-centred curriculum must address the broad range of the learning needs
of workers. Unions are interested in seeing the worker develop as a full human
being who has many different roles-in the family, the union, the workplace
and the community. Unions recognize that literacy plays an important part
in each of these roles.
Our curriculum has to be about more than reading and writing, because literacy in its fullest sense is about critical reflection and action. It is more than developing the skills we need to carry out particular tasks. It is also about understanding the contexts or systems that affect our daily lives. A worker-centred curriculum is about creating learning experiences that build on our lives in a way that strengthens us individually and collectively to be active and participating citizens. It is also about developing the union's capacity to engage in the struggle for social justice.
To explore these ideas more fully, order a copy of Seeds for Change. For more information, please see page 5.
Learning Together is published three times a year with financial support from the National Literacy Secretariat. We welcome your articles, event notices and opinion pieces.
