Province announces $15,000 for new P.D. day literacy program
The new program comes from the P.E.I. Literacy Alliance alongside the Department of Education
Education Minister Doug Currie announced Thursday an additional $15,000 in funding for the P.E.I. Literacy Alliance to support Ready, Set, Learn, a new program that will promote literacy for children on P.D. days.
Currie said the Alliance is working alongside the Department of Education for the new program and plans to have it roll out in Charlottetown in time for the next school year.
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"Right now they're looking at possibly eight to 10 professional development days that are held during the year where children are not in school," said Currie.
Currie said he believes focusing on P.D. days will provide significant benefits for children throughout the school year.
"It certainly makes a whole lot of sense. I think it's a good use of their time, particularly children that are maybe looking for additional supports in reading," said Currie.
Support throughout the school year
Currie said the P.E.I. Literacy Alliance proposed the new program to the Department of Education last fall in response to parents looking for further support while in school.
"Traditionally the Literacy Alliance has been well known for their summer tutoring programs," said Currie.
"But they received feedback from families and parents about looking at supports in the school year."
Currie said the program will be the first of its kind in the province, and hopes it will take off throughout P.E.I., based on its success in Charlottetown.
"Literacy is a key pillar to the success of our communities. It develops skills that are critical for lifelong learning in our children," he said.
"I think that it will continue to foster a culture of learning in our province that is very, very important."