SASKATCHEWAN LITERACY DAY PROCLAIMED

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz today proclaimed September 8 as Literacy Day in Saskatchewan during International Literacy Day celebrations organized by the Saskatoon Literacy Coalition and held in Saskatoon at the SIAST Kelsey Campus. The coalition chose "Literacy is a Fundamental Human Right" as the theme for this year's literacy day.

Saskatchewan's proclamation honours and supports a world-wide strategy started in 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to address social and economic issues that arise from low literacy levels.

"The Saskatchewan government believes literacy development is foundational to building the province's social and economic potential and is providing $2 million this year to help Saskatchewan people improve their literacy skills, education qualifications and employment potential," Krawetz said.

Compared to other provinces and territories, Saskatchewan literacy skills are among the highest in Canada. Nevertheless, 33 per cent of working-age adults in Saskatchewan, compared to 42 per cent of Canadians, have a literacy level that may limit them in a knowledge-based economy such as Canada's.

For more information about literacy in Saskatchewan visit http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/sasksmart/commission/a_commission.htm.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609