Literacy rates drop in Canada

According to the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey, many young adults, age 16 to 25, have not achieved the minimum literacy skills required for dealing with the complex tasks demanded in today's workplace.


“Forty-Two per cent of adults Canadians (16 and over) have low literacy skills,” said Jim Pollock, Director of Communications for ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. “Fifteen per cent of this number are adults with extremely low literacy skills.”

Pollock said 27 per cent of adult Canadians can comprehend and read day-to-day, but are challenged when faced to read application forms, or manuals.

Low literacy rates are high in Canada mainly due to socio-economic reasons.

The study found literacy rates higher for people who leave school at an early age, or are not raised in an educational environment.

Pollock said those with low literacy skills feel often feel embarrassed and do not seek help.

“People with low literacy skills should realize there are many other people out there challenged by low literacy skills and they should seek help,” added Jim Pollock.

If children are provided with an educational environment at an early age, the percentage of people with low literacy skills can be reduced, Pollack said. Introducing reading at an early age, not only installs reading as an enjoyable experience, but it also provides a healthy educational environment.

ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation encourages parents to offer their children opportunities to engage in literacy activities. The programs offered through provincial and territorial literary foundations are at no cost for individuals.

The unique foundation is the only one of its kind in the country devoted to literacy awareness in Canada. They focus on public awareness programs, as well as the development and execution of national literacy awareness campaigns.

ABC also provides promotional support to local literacy groups and conducts research to further the development of a fully literate Canadian population.

The length of the literacy-upgrading program depends on the literacy level of the individual. There are five literacy levels. Those who are at level one have difficulty with printed materials and identify themselves as not able to read. Level two are those who can read printed materials for limited purposes. Those at level three have the minimum skills needed to deal with work and everyday demands. Level four and five are those with higher information processing skills.

Those who do not achieve level three or higher are considered people with low literacy skills.

These programs are successful because the services are provided to small groups. Individuals are also able to have one an one discussions with teachers, who tailor their classes to the concerns and interests of the learners.

According to Statistics Canada, each additional year of education a person receives is worth an additional 8.3 per cent on their pay cheque. Using those standards, one year of post secondary education combined with a base salary of $30,000, would earn an employee an additional $2,490 per year.