Literacy programs face funding shortfall

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — Kamloops-Thompson school board heard a lengthy list Monday of accomplishments from a team of literacy outreach workers, but there is concern that the future of the district literacy plan might not be as bright as its past.

The reason is a lack of funding for next year’s literacy initiatives.

“Every year we mention that we are struggling, and with the closure of the Kamloops Daily News we are struggling even more,”said Fiona Clare, literacy outreach co-ordinator.

As part of the national Post Media Raise a Reader program, The Daily News was a huge contributor to the cost of literacy initiatives. Through a grant from the Stollery Foundation and in-kind donations, they were able to raise the equivalent of about $400,000 this past year, she noted.

Although Kamloops This Week has taken over the program here, there are now higher costs involved, she explained.

On top of that, there is no money in the provincial education budget for targeted literacy outreach co-ordinators for next year.

“We’re looking for a lot of sponsors to come forward and support us,” she added.

There has been a substantial increase in participation in literacy programs such as Unplug and Play, which encourages kids to shut off electronics in favour of active play and reading. Participation in that program grew to 5,800 kids from 3,000 the previous year.

Trustee Annette Glover said there has been some discussion with the chamber of commerce “to fill that big black hole that’s there.”