Board of education raises literacy-funding concern
The provincial government will be getting a letter from the Kamloops-Thompson board of education as trustees express concern about changes being made by Decoda Literacy Solutions.
The organization works with a variety of partners throughout B.C. in promoting literacy and, until recently, funded co-ordinators in rural communities, Trustee Cara McKelvey said.
It is now targeting its money at larger urban communities, McKelvey said, and this is hurting students in rural areas.
Earlier this month, in response to concerns about the cuts, Decoda CEO Brenda LeClair told the media its funding from the provincial government for literacy programs was cut from $2.5 million to $1 million last year.
The same amount was given to it this year, leaving the non-profit agency to make decisions on how best to spend the money.
Education Minister Don McRae has said he is working to help Decoda address its challenges.
He said Decoda is receiving other money from government — $665,642 from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Development and an additional $130,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology.
The education ministry has also appointed a new superintendent of reading for the province and dedicated $10.7 million in increased funding for early-reading strategies in school districts.
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