2.4.2. Differences by Sex

A higher proportion of under-educated men (2.2 percent) than under-educated women (1.4 percent) attend full-time education programs. Comparable figures within the total adult population are 12.4 percent for men and 11.0 percent for women (see Table 2-5).

Less than 0.6 percent of under-educated men and women participate in part-time programs compared to 5.6 percent of the men and 5.9 percent of the women in the total adult population (see Table 2-5).

2.4.3. Differences by Age

Within the under-educated adult population, the majority of those who attend full-time programs are in the 15-19 year age group (83.3 percent), although this group represents only 6.3 percent of all functionally illiterate adults. The largest proportion of the functionally illiterate adult population is 35 years and over in age (86.0 percent); yet they represent only 10.9 percent of those attending full-time education programs. The situation is reversed, however. with respect to attendance in part-time programs. Of those who participate in such programs. 59.9 percent are adults 35 years and over, while only 10.9 percent are in the 15-19 year age group (see Table 2-5).

Among those who are 15-19 years and who are both under-educated and attending school full-time, 60.9 percent are men and 39.1 percent are women.; among those who attend part- time, 59.1 percent are men and 40.1 percent are women Among those who are 35 years and over and who are both under-educated and attending school full-time, 42.9 percent are men and 57.1 percent are women; among those who attend part-time, 21.7 percent are men and 32.8 percent are women (see Table 2-5).

2.4.4. Differences by Region

The lowest rate of full-time school attendance within the under-educated population is found in Quebec (1.4 percent). However, with respect to part-time attendance, Quebec has the highest rate (1.4 percent). The Northwest Territories, which have the highest functional illiteracy rate in Canada, also have the highest rate (5.6 percent) of full-time school attendance within their under-educated population (see Table 2-6).

2.4.5. Urban/Rural Differences

Within both rural and urban populations, a slightly greater proportion of adult men attend full-time education programs than do adult women. In the rural areas, 2.2 percent of men with less than grade 9 education attend full-time programs, compared to 1.8 percent of rural women with the same level of education. In urban areas, the comparable figures are 2.1 percent for men and 1.3 percent for women (see Table 2-7).