The province is funding Capilano University's free tutoring program, as part of a $2.4 million investment in B.C. literacy programs.
"People tend to think of literacy as reading and writing - as something you learn in school," said Sandy Middleton, Capilano University's regional literacy co-ordinator. "But the way we look at literacy now, it's really about the way you're able to use the information."
The tutoring program has been in place for a number of years. It teaches people reading and writing, but also computer and math skills, or more practical skills such as how to get a driver's licence.
"So it's not a static view of literacy," she said. "It's about looking at literacy as something that enables participation at home, at work, in the community."
Capilano University, which partners with the Sechelt Public Library in providing the program, will receive upwards of $30,000 through the province's Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP), which will fund a total of 67 programs across the province.
This money, Middleton said, will pay for a faculty co-ordinator, cover training for tutors, fund program promotion and some resources, and go towards covering field trips.
Tutors are volunteers from the community. Many of them are retired, and some have a teaching background, though it's not required. Program participants, she said, are also from the community.
"They're adults or older youth who've already been out of school for a reason, and who for a variety of reasons want to improve their skills in a particular area or many different areas," she said.
Participants can sign up at any time during the year for the free tutoring program and they will receive Capilano University student status as part of the program. Tutoring largely occurs off campus, in public spaces chosen by the tutors and participants.
This year, CALP is expected to benefit close to 7,000 British Columbians, according to a press release from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.
"Community involvement and partnerships are a major driving force behind making B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent," said Margaret MacDiarmid, minister of education and the minister responsible for literacy. "One in three B.C. adults has difficulty with reading, and working in partnership is essential to addressing challenges that arise from low literacy levels."
