Community-based literacy in Quebec

Community-based literacy groups play an important role in Quebec in the delivery of literacy services to adults. While both school boards and community groups are mandated to deliver adult literacy programming, only school boards can grant official government diplomas. However, the government recognizes that community groups:

  • Provide an alternative service where a government service is lacking or insufficient;
  • Are more flexible in their approach than public institutions;
  • Are closer to the population they serve;
  • Offer innovative, new practices in popular education
  • Are better able to access marginalized, excluded sectors of the population

Many adults are hesitant to return to a classroom because of their negative experiences in school as children. Community groups offer an alternative where adults can advance at their own pace, with learning goals based on each individual’s needs, outside a classroom setting.

I needed the one-on-one tutoring to help me to be more confident.

Some learners may continue on to further educational or vocational training, or they may just want to learn how to read or write better so they can help their children with their homework, learn how to drive and get their licence, be more independent, etc.

What a difference in knowing basic reading and writing skills. It has changed my life. I have self-confidence. I am achieving my goals. I am able to work and support my family. I can join committees. I finally have a learner’s permit and hope to have a driver’s license soon. I am learning new skills every day. My life has improved. It is an on-going process but I can assure you it is well worth it. Life without the power to read and write is a hard one.

Two Policies and Action Plans

The government’s support of grassroots community group is governed by two policies and their accompanying action plans: one on adult education (Government Policy on Adult Education and Continuing Education and Training) and the other on community groups in general (Community Action: A Crucial Contribution to the Exercise of Citizenship and the Social Development of Quebec.)

Adult Education

The Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) recognizes that both school boards and community groups deliver literacy services. However,

the community-based literacy groups will focus primarily on adults who have decided not to return to school, who wish to pursue their education without necessarily obtaining official certification from the Ministère de l’Education (diploma, attestation, certificate, etc.), or who are not yet ready, for any number of personal or psychosocial reasons, to enter or reenter the school system. (Action Plan for Adult Education and Continuing Education and Training, p.9)

Therefore, community groups are mandated to offer literacy programs to adults who:

  • i) don't want to return to school, who wish to pursue their education without necessarily obtaining official recognition or who
  • ii) are not yet ready, for any number of personal or psychosocial reasons, to enter or reenter the school system.
Community groups also raise public awareness about literacy, offer prevention programs, conduct research, and train volunteers.

Funding

The government policy on community action recognizes the importance of community groups in society and underlines the government’s commitment to specifically fund independent community groups. The policy sets out three levels of funding:

  • Core funding to accomplish the overall mission
  • Service agreements, to implement specific government objectives, and
  • Project funding, to accomplish specific, short-term objectives

The majority of LVQ member groups are funded under the PACTE program, administered by MELS.

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