The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education:

Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to highlight the efforts of the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to enhance adult literacy in the province.

With funding provided from the Provincial Government, the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing enhanced literacy services to adults with disabilities. These services include screening, one-on-one tutoring, assistive technology training, advocacy support, and empowerment programs which aim to improve literacy skills and workforce readiness.

Speaker, by using in-person, online, and hybrid approaches and leveraging community partnerships, the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador has expanded its reach in urban and rural areas of the province. Those efforts are paying off.

Registrations for adult tutoring programs are increasing, and the total number of active learners receiving tutoring reached a high of 62 this past January. A total of 1,695 one-on-one tutoring sessions were delivered this year, with an overall total of 3,429 sessions delivered since the project’s inception.

Speaker, I ask all honourable members to join me in commending the work of the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to enhance adult literacy in the province.

Our government will continue to support projects and partnerships throughout the province as we increase adult literacy and promote a vibrant and prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.