Education and literacy

Time invested in improving one’s education is never wasted.

My great grandfather would insist that if a day went by and he had not been able to acquire any new information it was a day that was wasted.

My family was, and are all, active readers. I have vivid memories of sitting on someone's knee when they were reading the daily paper. There was a 'bednite snack' that always included a story or a chapter in a book. As a child I can remember feeling very sad when I heard that somebody was not able to read. As a youth, through a very special teacher, I became a literacy volunteer.

Fast forward over 30 years and it appears that literacy remains one of our society's most critical needs. Today in Nova Scotia, according to most of the informed sources, almost 40 per cent of the population of Nova Scotia has literacy issues.

For well over a decade, in Digby, committed and highly professional personnel supported by a dedicated volunteer board have been on the leading edge of this problem.

The Digby Area Learning Association (DALA) has provided adult education and training options, which have been designed to meet an ever increasing need. Now in collaboration with the NS Community College DALA has become a dynamic conduit to assist with improving career opportunities for their clients.

The decision to return to an educational environment when you are an adult is not easy and is fraught with many obstacles. The first is funding. Even though there are supports through Service Canada, Community Services and Canada Student Loan there are often practical limitations that make this a profound challenge. Family commitments and responsibilities can present unique difficulties.

Further, despite the fact it is now considered to be far more acceptable to be 'back in school' with grey hair, there is still the feeling that some of your peers may not truly understand what you are trying to accomplish. There is also the unique problem of refocusing your brain. There are times when you just cannot get into the space that you once were from a learning perspective.

This is one of the key aspects to the support that one finds at DALA. The Staff have helped hundreds of willing learners over these hurdles. One has only to attend a graduation event of the DALA Adult High School to see what a powerful effect this struggle has had on each participant. The laughter, the tears and the enthusiasm are contagious. Life long learning is now their reality and it could be yours as well! For more information contact DALA.