Province Doubles Investment in Family Literacy

More Nova Scotian families will be learning together thanks to a government investment in family literacy.

This year, the Department of Education will invest $240,000 to promote family literacy across the province, double its investment from 2006-07. The new funding was announced today, May 12, during a family literacy celebration in Oyster Pond.

"Investing in family literacy builds healthier families, economic potential and stronger communities," said Energy Minister Bill Dooks, on behalf of Karen Casey, Minister of Education. "As more Nova Scotians take steps to improve their literacy levels, we start to see more adults returning to learning, better self esteem among parents and guardians and increased success on a community level."

Family literacy is an inter-generational approach to education that fosters learning and literacy within the family. Examples of family literacy programs include reading circles for parents or caregivers and children, adult literacy programs that focus on health and parenting, and workshops for parents and caregivers on how to support their child's educational development.

In 2005, the Department of Education introduced a new adult-focused family literacy grant program to enhance literacy skills within families through community projects. The department has funded six family literacy projects across the province over a two-year period.

Projects were organized in partnership with community literacy organizations and delivered through the Colchester Adult Learning Association, Halifax Community Learning Network, Guysborough County Adult Learning Association, Eastern Shore-Musquodoboit Valley Learning Network, Hants Literacy Network Association, and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. All of the projects were designed to foster opportunities for family members and children to learn together, at school and at home.

"It's much more than reading and writing. It's about helping children understand and function in their world -- to understand,imagine and create. Parents play a key role in that process," said Maureen Kirk, executive director of the Eastern Shore Family Resource Association. "Family literacy efforts are especially important in rural communities because they bring people together with a common focus on reading, learning and playing as a family."

The Department of Education will determine funding allocations in the fall based on program applications from community organizations.