I would like to clarify the role of the provincial government in providing literacy services in British Columbia (BC). Since 1991, literacy or Fundamental Adult Basic Education (FABE) has been tuition-free in the post-secondary education (PSE) system in BC. Since July 1998, all levels of ABE are tuition-free in the PSE system. School district adult programs have been tuition-free for non-graduates throughout the 1990s. Nineteen PSE institutions (colleges, university- colleges and institutes) receive base funding for ABE programs which amounted to $42-million for the current year - $9-million of that is for the FABE program. In addition, English Language Training programs and Adult Special Education programs are base-funded. These programs increase the total amount going into access or developmental programs. There are also two student assistance programs to help with book costs, other fees and transportation. School district adult programs also receive base funding of about $48 million from the Ministry of Education for high school completion programs. Thus, in direct funding, about $100 million goes to support ABE for about 20,000 FTEs. Income assistance recipients are sponsored through the Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security. Several colleges in BC developed volunteer literacy outreach programs in the late 1970s & early 1980s and have continued to fund them. With the advent of the National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) grants, several communities began to develop a volunteer tutoring program. Initially, there was no ongoing funding for these groups. However, in the fall of 1995, the BC government (in partnership with the NLS) hosted a consultation with the field to determine how the monies for the provincial portion of the federal-provincial cost-shared literacy program could be allocated. The provincial portion is $700,000. There were several other commitments to be considered, but it was agreed that the bulk of that provincial portion - about $400,000 annually would go to assist community groups. Well-established groups, such as Literacy Nanaimo (see Networks, Fall 1999) and Project Literacy Victoria, are eligible for the maximum assistance grant of $25,000. Literacy Nanaimo has received an annual grant of this amount since 1997 as well as some additional literacy project funding from the NLS. Public acknowledgment of these funds is expected as a condition of the grants. This letter is in no way meant to diminish the efforts or great success Literacy Nanaimo and other groups have had in their creative fund-raising efforts. However, I don’t want your readers to think there is no government funding for literacy work in BC. There may not be enough to meet all of the various needs, but I think that the evidence I have presented shows that there is a substantial commitment nevertheless. Sincerely, Audrey M. Thomas |
