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We met the Chief Education Officer today at Unity Presbyterian Primary for the launch of the Ministry’s first adult literacy program.  It’s called LEAP, which is short for Literacy And Empowerment Adult Program.  

Babb told us who it targets:

Dr. Carol Babb - Chief Education Officer
"Any parent who is interested in reading and write or to improve their literacy skills, they are welcomed to attend. They can get forms from the schools here from ITVET or from the Collet office. So, we are going to teach them functional literacy. Functional literacy means learning how to fill out forms, how to fill out a passport form, how to read their children's report card, we are going to determine what their needs are and when we determine those needs, we of course will teach phonics and the other concepts of literacy."

Jules Vasquez
"As a career educator, you have seen this miracle of transformation before for those who are shut out from a big part of the world as adults and then you open that door and it restores their dignity. Explain to me the transformation."

Dr. Carol Babb
"So, the transformation is that these people will feel empowered. The program comprises of literacy reading and writing skills, financial literacy skills and teaching them how to make a budget, teaching them how to save, how to open accounts and to save for the future. And of course we live in a digital world so we have to teach them technology as well."

Reporter
"So, this is opened for everyone, no restrictions, nationality..."

Dr. Carol Babb
"No, restriction, you don't have to pay anything, anyone can apply. I've said there are forms available, the program begins, I think, on the 17 of February, there is no cost. So there is no barrier at all." 

The Leap Program will be held at Unity Presbyterian and at ITVET, twice a week at both locations.