Provincial International Literacy Day Celebrations
It was a day of celebration and awards as the Department of Education honoured adult learners, educators and organizations today, Sept. 8, during an International Literacy Day Awards & Recognition Ceremony in Dartmouth.
"Today we recognize the outstanding achievements of adult learners and educators," said Minister of Education Jane Purves. "Their dedication to literacy and lifelong learning in Nova Scotia is admirable."
The department's Community Learning Initiative (CLI) is a government-community partnership that supports 27 Learning Networks, providing adult literacy programming throughout the province. Last year the CLI funded 143 programs across Nova Scotia with more than 2,100 people participating. Through the CLI, the literacy community in Nova Scotia has gained a strong voice, expressing the need for increased access to quality programming and better resources for adults. At today's ceremony, three people from CLI sponsored programs read moving stories to the audience of what their programs have meant to them.
The Workplace Education Initiative provides grants and supports to business and labour to create literacy programs in the workplace. This initiative is a partnership among government, business, labour and management. Almost 4,500 employees in over 200 work sites have taken part in the initiative since 1995.
Four people received Workplace Education Ambassador Awards for their commitment to lifelong learning through promoting and participating in workplace education programs. The recipients are Steven Eddy, Halifax; Earle Brooks, Dartmouth; Fred Chambers, New Station; and Heather Hutchinson, Bridgetown. Each recipient will also receive a $200 gift certificate courtesy of the Nova Scotia Community College.
Awards were also given to men and women who have returned to learning and successfully achieved their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma. Shawn Pineo of Eastern Passage was honoured with the GED National Award for Outstanding Achievement. This award is granted to the individual who achieves the highest score on the GED tests written in Nova Scotia.
The Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. GED Scholarship Award was presented to Deanna Reese of Kingston. This $1,000 award is granted to a GED graduate who is enrolled in a full-time post- secondary program in a science or math-related field at a recognized institution in Nova Scotia.
The first ever $1,000 Gage Publishing GED Graduate Tuition Scholarship was presented to Robert Fredericks of Halifax. This award is given to a GED graduate to assist them in pursuing a post-secondary education at a Canadian university/college or an apprenticeship training program.
Noel Johnston was posthumously awarded the Dr. William Pearly Oliver Award. This award pays tribute to educators who, through their dedication, have made a significant contribution to literacy and adult education in the African Nova Scotian Community or demonstrated a commitment and excellence through their participation in literacy and adult education programs. It is named after Dr. William Pearly Oliver and recognition of his pioneering work with the Department of Education in promoting literacy and adult education in African Canadian communities across Nova Scotia between 1950 and 1962.
Canada Post's Literacy Awards, honouring Canadians who support literacy, were also presented at the ceremony. Laura Jarvis of Dartmouth won the Individual Literacy Achievement Award for her personal achievements as an adult learner. The Digby Area Learning Association was awarded the Literacy Leadership Award for their long-term achievement, innovation, leadership and organizational excellence.
Today's ceremony also included the presentation of a recognition award from the Department of Education to the Halifax Youth Foundation. This award was presented in appreciation and acknowledgement of the Halifax Youth Foundation's commitment to family learning in Nova Scotia through the creation of the Family Learning Initiative Endowment Fund.
International Literacy Day is declared by the United Nations and is celebrated annually on Sept. 8.