GNWT Celebrates National School Library Day
R(16)296 - Monday, October 26, 2009
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Jackson Lafferty says by increasing funding for school libraries, the GNWT is opening up a world of knowledge and possibilities to northern students.
“I am happy to support literacy in our communities, and want to thank NWT librarians and staff for the important work they do,” he said. “I encourage people across the NWT to spend time in their school libraries enjoying reading a book.”
The concept of literacy is ever evolving and includes new mediums of communications beyond books and print, from computers to iPods to cell phones. Media and computer literacy is also an essential skill required for the future success of NWT students. To help Grade 12 students in small communities acquire media literacy skills and prepare for post secondary pursuits, ECE is giving them computer laptops to use. Schools will get the funding directly so they can decide which laptops are best suited for their students.
In addition to increased funding for school literacy efforts, ECE is investing $250,000 to improve youth literacy outside the formal school system. ECE is targeting out-of-school youth aged 16 to 25 and working with youth centres to develop literacy programs within the centres. Across the territory, youth centres have already brought in elders to work with youth, sharing traditional stories and promoting the value of education. Youth centre staff will also be offered training on proposal writing and incorporating literacy programs into their centres.
A youth literacy working group is in the process of developing a youth literacy action plan based on objectives in the NWT Literacy Strategy. This action plan will be finalized once a youth literacy gap analysis is completed.
For more information, contact:
Amy Doerksen
Manager, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
