Strategic Literacy Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is currently considering a strategic plan to advance literacy in the province. According to Statistics Canada, adult literacy rates decrease from west to east across Canada. On January 1, 1998, the Provincial Government announced its intention to develop a Strategic Literacy Plan to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources to improve literacy within Newfoundland and Labrador. The terms of reference for the project stated that the Plan be developed through consultation with literacy stakeholders, learners, community groups, volunteers, professionals, industry, labour, the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, and both levels of government. The Plan would also look at literacy for all ages, both within and outside the formal school system. Ms. Luanne Leamon was given a one-year secondment from Executive Council, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, to develop the Plan.

The process to develop the Plan began with the establishment of a Literacy Strategic Planning Unit with two other staff: a Manager of Communications & Consultations, and a Secretary. A Steering Committee was established to consider issues based on findings from research, focus groups and a public consultation process. The first tasks of the Steering Committee were to establish a working timetable, explore the issues, draft a consultation paper, and determine who should be consulted and how to reach the broadest number of stakeholders. The Strategic Literacy Plan Consultation Paper and Workbook divided the issues surrounding literacy into seven major sections, each of which contained a few key questions to generate discussion and feedback. Between May-June 1998, public consultations and smaller stakeholder meetings were held across Newfoundland and Labrador for a total of thirty-one meetings. In addition, the Unit received over fifty written submissions and studied literacy plans developed by stakeholder organizations.

After reviewing and analysing the results of the consultation process and holding some further discussions with stakeholders, the Literacy Strategic Planning Unit, in consultation with its Steering Committee, began writing the Strategic Plan. It was completed in December 1998 and presented to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador whereby it is currently under consideration. On January 1, 1999, the Government appointed Ms. Leamon, author of the Plan, as Assistant Deputy Minister-Literacy, within the Department of Education.