Government of Yukon

Archives

PDF

FOR RELEASE     #05-291
November 9, 2005

Yukon Comes Out Tops In International Adult Literacy Survey

WHITEHORSE - Yukon has scored extremely well both nationally and internationally on the International Adult Literacy Skills Survey (IALSS) conducted in 2003. Results from the IALSS were released today by Statistics Canada.

"The average proficiency in Yukon is much higher than the Canadian average in all four areas surveyed in the IALSS: prose, document, numeracy and problem solving," Elaine Taylor, acting minister of education said. "Internationally, the average prose literacy score in Yukon was higher than that of Switzerland, United States, Italy and Mexico; and the same as Bermuda and Norway."

While over $800,000 is currently provided for Yukon-wide literacy initiatives, the government is also allocating another $100,000 to undertake a review of its literacy strategy to help further refine how it can help Yukoners increase their literacy skills.

"The recommendations we receive from the literacy strategy review will be implemented by the Department of Education working alongside our community and government partners in literacy," Taylor said. "Our government is committed to allocating the necessary financial and human resources necessary to help make literacy a reality for all Yukoners."

"Our government recognizes that literacy is a fundamental part of life. With strong literacy skills, Yukoners can take advantage of economic opportunities, play an active role in their communities, be proactive about their health and be further engaged in their families," Taylor said. "Literacy is the vehicle which carries us down the road to lifelong learning."

In Canada, more than 23,000 individuals aged 16 and over, from across the ten provinces and three territories, responded to the IALSS. Respondents spent an average of two hours answering questions. The International Adult Literacy Survey results are available at www.statcan.ca.

-30-

 Contact:  
 Peter Carr  Clea Ainsworth
 Cabinet Communications Advisor  Communications Coordinator, Education
 (867) 667-8688  (867) 393-7102
 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca  clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca