Funding

The New Brunswick public education system is fully funded by general revenues of the province. The Legislative Assembly determines, by vote, financial resources for school operations. Budget allocations for schools are determined by district. The Administration and Finance branch of the New Brunswick Department of Education distributes all funding for the provincial public education system. The Finance and Services division provides leadership in both official languages in financial policy development, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting to school districts, school boards and the Department. In New Brunswick, the 1999-2000 annual budget was increased to approximately $760,000,000 in order to include additional support for improvements in post-secondary education; early childhood development; and discipline in schools through initiatives including student debt assistance, reduced class size, and positive learning environments.

Adult Education

The New Brunswick Department of Education has helped to establish two main pro- grams for adult literacy and education in the province: The Community Academic Services Program (CASP) and Crew-NB. The programs are designed to free movement between the labour force and the learning force. Literacy education develops the skills necessary for adults to participate more fully in society. Programs are offered in New Brunswick to enable and improve reading, writing and comprehension skills; to prepare adults for a General Education Development (GED) test; and/or to provide prerequisites for vocational or technology training. Maintaining literacy skills and education through-out employees' careers naturally increases retraining opportunities in the workplace. Adult education and training programs in New Brunswick are designed to increase relevant learning achievements while maximizing the value of both time and money for the learner.

The Minister of State for Youth and Literacy in New Brunswick has no budget. The literacy mandate is effected through the Department of Education through the Office of Learner Financial Assistance and Literacy.

Community Academic Services Program (CASP)
CASP committees have established 1125 adult learning sites in 130 communities across New Brunswick since 1991. 467 CASP sites are English, 623 are French, and 35 offer both English and French. As of 1999, CASP sites provide a total of over 22,000 learning opportunities for adults in New Brunswick.

Crew-NB
Crew-NB is a workforce program that operates in partnership with employers and unions. It has been in place since 1994. 84 Crew-NB programs have been established in the province with 1,700 opportunities for workers to upgrade their skills.