ADULT BASIC EDUCATION IN B.C.

Since the development of the Ministerial Policy on the Provision of Adult Basic Education Programs including English Language Training in the Public Education System of British Columbia in 1980, there has been a more coordinated and diversified program delivery system for A.B.E. in B.C. The major providers of A.B.E. are the school districts, colleges, institutes and, to a lesser extent, voluntary organizations.

This policy promoted the development of new adult basic education programs at most community colleges in B.C. Particularly impressive was the growth of part-time adult basic education programs offered by school districts, colleges and institutions. From 1976/77 to 1982/83, course registrations in school districts, colleges and institutes in high school completion and academic upgrading programs climbed from 6,588 to 23,673.3 However, during the same period, course registration in federally sponsored A.B.E. programs fell from 6,740 to 4,284.⁴

The most recent Federal and Provincial statistics available (1985/86) show a continued decline in federally sponsored A.B.E. programs. Since the B.C. government's 1983 restraint program, a drop in provincial funding has also led to declining enrolment in non-CEIC related A.B.E.

FEDERAL/PROVINCIAL RELATIONSHIP
IN THE PROVISION OF ADULT
BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Colleges across Canada made a significant entry into Adult Basic Education programs in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Thousands of Canadians were given a "second chance" to study fundamental literacy and numeracy skills. These programs were intended to give adults opportunities to pursue vocational training and then enter the skilled workforce with a much better chance of permanent employment. Optimists forecast the early eradication of adult illiteracy. ⁵

In B.C., non-CEIC Adult Basic Education programs are funded by Federal transfer payments to the provinces. The province then allocates dollars to colleges, institutes and school districts for the delivery of A.B.E. programs.

The Federal government, through CEIC, pays for direct course costs and training allowances for clients taking ABE and vocational skills training. The provincial government produces the "up-front" money for the operation of the programs, and then recovers the costs from the federal government. This federal government training program, referred to as the Institutional Training Program, has been in existence throughout the Adult Occupational Training Act (1967-1982) and the National Training Act (1982-1985).

THE FEDERAL ROLE: A DIMINISHING
PRESENCE IN A.B.E.

The decline in participants in federally-sponsored CEIC A.B.E. programs started in the mid-seventies with the reduction of federal funding for these programs.

* number of trainees in Federal
BTSD, BJRT and WAT programs
(A.B.E. programs) in Canada. ⁶

By 1983 it was evident that the federal government had virtually ceased sponsoring manpower programs below the grade 8 level. Concurrently, the federal government was rapidly phasing out its participation in Basic Training for Skill Development (B.T.S.D.), the fundamental A.B.E. program which gives adults upgrading in English, Math and Science at the grade 8, 10 and 12 levels.