5.6. Community Learning Initiative

The Department of Education provides funding, practitioner training and other supports for the Community Learning Initiative (CLI) consisting of 27 Learning Networks throughout the province including 5 specialized networks serving diverse communities. CLI networks are delivery vehicles for literacy learning and are a component of NSSAL.

The table below provides an overview of the HRM–based and specialized networks.

Table 5 – CLI Networks
HRM REGIONAL NETWORKS SPECIALIZED NETWORKS
Bedford / Sackville Literacy Network Metro Deaf Literacy Network
Halifax Community Learning Network Provincial Black Literacy Network
Western HRM Community Learning Network Nova Scotia ESL (English as a Second Language) Network
Eastern Shore and Musquodoboit Valley Mi'kmaq Literacy Network
Dartmouth and Area Literacy Association Acadian Literacy Network


CLI funding provides for two (2) distinct program models. The first is a one–on–one tutor based model and the other is a classroom based model. Tutors are primarily volunteer resources and while classroom instructors are salaried resources, they are assisted by volunteers in the classroom.

Based on the learner profiles submitted to the Department of Education, about 400 learners participated in the 5 metro regional networks and the deaf network in 1999 – 2000. The following table provides an overview of the 2 program models. Information about the Deaf Literacy Network was not included in the data.