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It's great to see that a long-standing objective of Literacy B. C.
has finally been achieved. Our government has made a smart decision,
for people and for our economy.
Paul Gallagher, President of
Literacy B.C.
This is a landmark initiative and it will have a huge positive
impact on the lives of many people.
Linda Mitchell, Executive Director,
Literacy B.C.
This is very exciting news for colleges and especially for students.
This will provide much easier access for students and let them move on
to other programs. One of the barriers for many students was financial
and this has been removed.
Jean Cockell, Chair, Deans and
Directors of Developmental
Education in B.C.
The elimination of fees will make a huge difference in the lives of
tens of thousands of British Columbians.
Ed Lavalle, President of the
College Institute Educator's
Association of B.C. |
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A Student's View
Betty Carter is a 26-year old single mother and President of the
King Edward Campus Student Association. Carter told the conference
she was a Grade 7 drop-out who "couldn't read or write or do
simple math." She has now completed grades 8, 9 and 10 and is
taking grade 11 courses at KEC, earning a B+ to A average. Carter
decided to return to school, "because I couldn't read menus
or children's books and I wanted to read to my child."
Carter said tuition-free ABE "means so much to single
parents and families on welfare." With the elimination of
fees, "financial aid can be directed at more important
issues, like housing, transportation and even food." |
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Background Notes
The budget-for ABE in the college system is $35.6 million. School
districts receive $48 million to fund ABE.
Of the 21,000 students enrolled in college ABE, approximately
18,000 how pay tuition. About 3,000 are in literacy level
programs, which have been tuition-free since 1990.
The average cost of each college course is $120 and the average
student takes three courses.
The government will compensate colleges for lost ABE tuition. |
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