MLA Jim Rondeau Brings Greetings

MLA Jim Rondeau holds literacy symbol

Former member of Literacy Partners of Manitoba, MLA Jim Rondeau, affirmed that he was delighted to bring greetings from the government. Literacy was on the agenda, he said.

Raging Grammarians in the audience were delighted to hear that henceforth communication in plain English would be an NDP priority. Indeed, gobbledygook was being rejected at the highest level of government.

Enthusiastic applause greeted Mr. Rondeau’s announcements that in place of workfare the government would introduce individual education plans without a prohibitive ten-month waiting period. Furthermore, it favoured multi-year funding of literacy programs. As well, the government was committed to carrying out research into adult literacy to determine the most effective system of delivery.

Mr. Rondeau plans to introduce a private member’s bill on literacy. In response to his lifelong commitment to literacy, Marg Rose thanked him for his greetings and presented him with a Literacy Champion symbol.

Smart Kids Drop Out

Robin Millar delivers keynote speech

In a interesting and provocative speech, Dr. Robin Millar argued that when staying in school resulted in shame, low self-esteem, and loss of control, then a student was “smart” to drop out. Many learners, she said, experience an ambivalence between a desire for learning and a resistance to formal education. Adult learners often retain this ambivalence.

When the student begins to feel ashamed of an inability to keep up in school, usually due to a low level of literacy, he or she eventually drops out. As one former student put it: “Staying away made me feel guilty. Coming back made me feel ashamed.” She would rather feel guilty than ashamed, so she dropped out. This was a smart move!

Dr. Millar spoke of the implications for instructors in dealing with former “drop outs” returning to formal education. First, we should acknowledge this smart response as a measure of intelligence. Second, we should validate the decision as a means of controlling the individual’s own life. Third, we should engage students as co-researchers. Adult learners are only too willing to talk about their learning lives, she said.

Dr. Millar was happy to answer questions and offered to respond to any further queries by email (rmillar@edu.gov.mb.ca)

Record Attendance at AGM and Conference

Seventy-two hardy literacy souls braved icy roads to attend the AGM and Sharing Session of Literacy Partners of Manitoba at the Grain Exchange Building on Saturday, 27 November, 1999.

Sylvia Provenski, president of LPM, welcomed members, introduced the board, and read greetings from Yvette Souqueof NLS. In her letter, Yvette praised LPM as a leader among provincial organizations. Dan Overall of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce also brought greetings and thanked members of LPM for their commitment to improving literacy in the province. Nick Laping of Honda Canada presented bursaries to representative programs.

The AGM followed. Minutes were accepted, reports presented, and four new officers elected. Sylvia paid tribute to retiring board members Cheryl Campbell, Joy H.T. So, Janet Regehr, and Rorie Bruce. The conference opened with Robin Millar’s keynote speech, followed by informal presentations, and break-out sessions in the afternoon. A day well spent!

As Holly Steele put it: “Thanks for a really good AGM. It was nice to meet (or at least see) many of you as humans whom I had known only though email.”