Prince Edward Island
The first Prince Edward Island Laubach Literacy Council started in
Charlottetown in 1971, and there are now five Councils across the Island.
Within the government, the Department of Industry is primarily responsible
for literacy, and has provided small grants to the Councils, for tutor
training and materials. These are now involved not only in communities
at large but also in correctional and rehabilitation centres, and with
the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. The Island's community
college, Holland College, has been cautious about moving from higher
levels of adult basic education into literacy, but has recently established
computer-based learning centres, and developed an adult curriculum covering
grades one to twelve.
Nova Scotia
Literacy programs in Nova Scotia have traditionally come from two
sources. Some were sponsored by school boards, among which literacy
involvement varies widely with local leadership and funding availability.
Other programs were sponsored by Laubach Literacy. There are now 18
Laubach Literacy Councils; some have affiliations with school boards.
School boards have often relied on the Councils to provide basic level
tutoring.
Programs since the mid-1980s have continued to develop through school
boards and Literacy Councils, but have also had other sources. Several
community literacy projects developed (in conjunction with a community
centre, a library, or other organization), although these have often
experienced difficulty in finding funding. In 1989, following an extensive
study of programming in the province,72 the Department of Advanced Education
and Job Training announced the formation of Literacy Nova Scotia, an
advisory board to the Minister. Literacy facilitator positions have
been created for seven community college regions (one of which is a
province-wide Acadie), and for black and aboriginal programming. Coordinators
provide tutor training, materials development, program promotion, and
aid to local networks. They also work to establish new programs, including
a series of 10 varied and innovative workplace programs.73 Regional resource
centres include materials for tutors and students, and there are learner
collections in local libraries. School board upgrading programs may
also teach literacy students.
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