The province is increasing funding to Manitoba adult literacy and adult learning centre programs by $700,000 annually, bringing total funding support to almost $20.6 million, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
Premier Selinger
“Our economy is becoming increasingly knowledge-based and all Manitobans need strong literacy skills to fully participate in society and get good jobs,” said Selinger. “This funding will help us reach more Manitobans and allow them to increase literacy skills, complete high-school credits, earn a Manitoba high-school diploma, and access employment or further education and training opportunities.”
For 2010-11, the Manitoba adult literacy program provides funding to 41 agencies that provide literacy programs to adult students. In addition, for 2010-11, 46 adult learning centres were registered and 41 were funded to provide high-school programming to adults. In 2009-10, nearly 12,000 adult learners attended one of Manitoba’s adult learning and literacy programs including 1,100 students in the Westman region.
The Adult Collegiate at Assiniboine Community College is structured to offer one-stop service to adult students from Brandon and surrounding areas. Students are able to enrol in high-school programs and earn dual credits toward a college designation such as a health-care aide.
In 2009-10, adult students in Manitoba completed 12,743 courses for high-school credit and 1,456 graduated with a high-school diploma. The premier noted that today’s investments build on Manitoba’s strategy to improve adult literacy.
“Manitoba was the first province in Canada to proclaim legislation that guides efforts to improve adult literacy levels, highlighting our commitment to this issue,” Selinger said. “We will continue to invest in adult learning, so all Manitobans have the best possible opportunities for the future.”
Since 1999, the Manitoba government has more than doubled the province’s annual investment in adult literacy to almost $2.6 million. Manitoba’s total support for adult learning and literacy programs for 2011-12 is almost $20.6 million.
