Adult Learners, Literacy Advocates Honoured

Adult learners who have improved their literacy levels and succeeded in workplace education, as well as the literacy practitioners and volunteers who support them, were honoured today, Sept. 8, at Nova Scotia's 16th annual International Literacy Day celebrations in Dartmouth.

Premier Rodney MacDonald presented the Council of the Federation Literacy Award to Jason Dykens of Waterville, Kings Co. In Nova Scotia, the award recognizes an adult learner who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in literacy and made significant contributions to school, workplace or community. The award was introduced in 2005 by Canada's premiers to recognize literacy achievement in every province and territory.

"The adult learners we honour today have returned to learning and made better lives for themselves and their families," said Premier MacDonald. "Mr. Dykens and the other award recipients are committed to gaining the skills they need to learn, live, and work successfully."

Mr. Dykens, a married father of three, was working for minimum wage and decided to continue his education to secure a higher paying job for his family. "I was really busy, from daylight to sunset but it was well worth it," he said. "I feel better about myself, I'm more prepared and, best of all, my children are getting more interested in learning."

In addition to the Council of the Federation award, several other literacy awards were presented.

The Department of Education's Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning Community Literacy Volunteer Award was created in 2001. It honours volunteers involved in community-based adult literacy programs. This year's recipients were:

• Art and Shirley Chisholm, Great Village, Colchester Co.
• Murdoch Moore, Howie Centre, Cape Breton Co.
• Karen Malcolm, D'Escousse, Richmond Co.
• David Irvine, Smiths Cove, Digby Co.

Workplace Ambassador Awards were presented to five Nova Scotians who participated in literacy and upgrading programs in the workplace. Each recipient also received a $200 gift certificate to attend programs offered by Nova Scotia Community College. The recipients were:

• Maria Musolino-Pearson, Sunbury Transport, Pictou County
• Lily Wu, Dragon Buffet King, Halifax
• Jody Head, Shaw's Eastern Embers, Shubenacadie
• Mary Conrad, Eastern Passage Bed and Breakfast, Seaside Casuals, and A&M Charters, Eastern Passage
• Donalda Fougere, Glades Lodge, CUPE Local 1259, Halifax

The General Education Development (GED) National Award recognizes an individual who achieves the highest score on the GED tests written in Nova Scotia. The GED testing program is an internationally recognized assessment tool that tests participants' knowledge of reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. The recipient was Elizabeth Anna Johnson of Truro.

The Canada Post Individual Literacy Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has succeeded in overcoming social or economic barriers by improving their literacy skills. The recipient was Douglas Oakley of Dartmouth.

The Canada Post Community Leadership Award recognizes programs that have demonstrated long-term achievement, innovation, leadership, and excellence in furthering the cause of literacy. The recipient was the Richmond County Literacy Network in D'Escousse.

The province invests more than $6.6 million to offer programs to the more than 4,800 adults supported through Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning. Additionally, the province invests more than $500,000 to partner with business and labour groups in supporting the 1,200 adults who participated in workplace education programs offered at more than 80 workplaces across the province.