From the President

President's Message - Nita Jacob

It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner! When I worked I usually had all my shopping done by now. Not so this year, as I am finding retirement as busy or busier than when I worked five days a week!

I was pleased to be invited on behalf of the Association to attend the official announcement of the ReadNow BC announcement on September 7, 2007. It is certainly great news that the Government of British Columbia is taking laudable steps forward to make education available to all citizens of this Province. However, what I see is too much emphasis being focused on on-line education. Granted this kind of education model works well for some, especially those better or well-educated students (who often come to us after immigrating to Canada), but it has been one of the least effective overall strategies in terms of success rates for others. That is, the number of students completing courses or programs using this on-line model is minimal if they come from the undereducated population, whether they have been born in Canada or have immigrated here from other countries. Some experience more success if they also have the support of instructors, while others simply cannot function in this environment and need to have the face-to-face interaction and support provided by instructors in order to be successful.

The Adult Educator Certification is an issue the Executive Board discussed at our November 3, 2007 meeting. Although our Association has focused on professional development and always distanced itself from political issues, the Board agreed to forward a letter of support for those instructors of school districts who have been or may be laid off due to the non-recognition of training and experience in the field of Adult Education. A copy of this letter will be included in this issue - provided there is space - or will be e-mailed to the Membership at large.

My personal opinion on this situation is one of great frustration. During my over thirty years in the field I have seen initiatives begin, some fail and others succeed in an attempt to have the certification and evaluation of Adult Educators which parallels other training recognized – be it K-12, college instructors or even university instructors. Our colleagues at the School District level are being directed to acquire re-training at a huge financial cost, not to mention that the practicums will be held in K-12 classrooms. I see this re-training as unnecessary except when an instructor wishes to have the additional K-12 certification! If it is deemed necessary for some to have a practicum at all, then it should take place in an adult classroom. However, it would make much more sense for the B.C. College of Teachers (BCCT) to sit down with experts from the field, including Universities, Colleges, School Districts, Adult Instructors, and relevant Associations to evaluate the credentials that many of these instructors already have!

There should be, at the very least, a ‘grandfathering' of those who have been employed - many of whom have years of experience working with adults - so that they may keep the positions they have had until retirement. I look forward to future discussions with relevant Government Ministries and relevant Associations and Agencies and I welcome any response from you, the Membership, in regard to this issue. Letters to the Groundwork Chair, Ruth Vandenbor can be e-mailed or mailed to the address on the inside front cover of this issue.

I would now like to take the opportunity to wish you and yours the Best of the Holiday Season and I look forward to seeing all of you at the 2008 ABEABC Conference at Camosun College in Victoria next May. Advanced details of the conference can be found in this issue.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Members of the Adult Basic Education Association of British Columbia.