Expanding adult literacy programs throughout B.C. (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

Media Relations
604 209-7629

Backgrounders

Facts about literacy, adult literacy program funding in B.C.
  • 45% of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty understanding newspapers, following instruction manuals, reading health information and other daily living tasks.
  • 52% of British Columbians aged 16 to 65 may have difficulty calculating interest on a car loan, using information on a graph, calculating medicine dosage and other daily living tasks.

In 2023-24, the $3.4 million annual funding will support 102 programs delivered by 71 providers in 132 communities throughout the province.

  • The Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP) provides free basic English-language classes for newcomers, work permit holders and refugee claimants to support people new to B.C. and help set them up for success.
  • Since 2017, the Community Adult Literacy Program has served more than 21,800 core learners and since 2020, the program has served more than 12,000 drop-in learners throughout the province.

In 2021-22, CALP programs served more than 4,250 learners:

  • 20.9% identified as Indigenous;
  • 72.3% female and 26.3% male;
  • 40.0% employed, 33.4% unemployed and 15.6% retired; and
  • 47.8% had previously completed some post-secondary education or skills training.