Funding Cuts to BC Literacy Programs

Regional Literacy Coordinators Eliminated

Community groups and organizations across British Columbia, Canada, recently lost an important resource when the Ministry of Advanced Education, Labour Market Development closed the books on adult literacy.

Minister for the Environment Barry Penner said that "government revenues have been evaporating," suggesting there is little left in the budget for education due to environmental conditions beyond our control (Literacy Cuts Questioned). Indeed, it seems government spending is beyond anyone's control.

Sadly, according to Frank Cosco, president of the Vancouver Community College Faculty Association, the worst hit by the economic recession are those who most need improved skills in order to compete in a tougher job market: "Literacy programs are an essential first step for thousands of current and potential students who need to either upgrade existing skills or move to new career options." The cuts spell a new chapter in the demise of educational opportunities in BC.

Government Spending Priorities

Shortly after the announcement of cuts to literacy services, a government Web site posted news about an $8-million "Energy House" at Northern Lights College, a $2.4-million upgrade for classrooms at Langara College, and a $4-million driver training track at the Justice Institute of B.C.

Such projects are not urgent, and they tend to benefit the construction industry more than the people who want and need to further their education. Regional literacy services cost the BC taxpayer a mere $1.6 million (BC Government news release). For that money British Columbians get writing and reading, numeracy, computer and critical thinking skills, essential tools needed to improve life in today's increasingly complex world.

BC Government Agenda

In 2005 the BC government proclaimed that the province would have the most literate population on the continent by 2016. But, shortly following their May re-election, government budget shortfalls became apparent, and tough recommendations for funding cuts became necessary.

The Movement for Canadian Literacy recently reported the 16 regional literacy coordinator positions, axed as a consequence, were "created last year" by government officials. In fact, the initiative goes back to 1994 and was the result of hard work and fundraising on the part of literacy NGOs. The government's well-calculated decision in 2008, to take credit for a pre-existing component of the province's infrastructure of literacy coordination, fit well with the rhetoric of Olympic 2010 Legacies.

Future Literacy

Historical understanding is lacking when oft-shuffled, career civil servants are forced to make such impactful recommendations to their Ministers. Government needs to take time to fully assess the consequences of bureaucratic decisions. This funding cut has removed the foundation of a well-established community-based system of adult literacy. The elimination of expertise and literacy services is a sad result.

Civilization advances as the sum total of human knowledge increases, a legacy that is a birthright. No one should be limited in their access to information and knowledge-based opportunities. Only when the great adventure of learning, as ought to be fully supported by our government, is shared by everyone, can we finally turn the page on illiteracy.