Charles Ungerleider, Professor Emeritus, The University of British Columbia
[permission to reproduce granted if authorship is acknowledged]
I received several supportive emails about my last blog, in which I said that the appointment of a new Minister of Education provides the opportunity to pursue four initiatives that would substantially improve educational outcomes. One reader wrote, “You have argued that British Columbia should address the decline in literacy (and numeracy) but the declines in BC are simply a local example of a world-wide trend. Why is it so important for the educational systems in BC and elsewhere to address literacy?"
The decline in literacy and numeracy is indeed a global phenomenon and a global concern, but that does not diminish the urgency for British Columbia to act. Educational outcomes are directly tied to a region’s economic health, social cohesion, and democratic vitality. While global trends provide context, local action determines how well communities adapt to and mitigate these challenges.
In BC, literacy affects preparedness for employment and access to high-paying employment. Employers frequently reference the skills gap among workers, a gap that weakens BC’s economic competitiveness. In countries in which literacy is unaddressed or poorly addressed, deficient literacy contributes to poverty and limits social mobility, exacerbating inequalities. Literacy is crucial for social justice—necessary, but not sufficient.
Low literacy levels impair civic participation. In BC and other democratic societies, individuals who possess stronger literacy skills are better equipped to analyze political discourse, make informed voting decisions, and engage in community initiatives. Declines in literacy lead to disengagement and weaken democratic processes.
Ultimately,
literacy is a foundational skill that supports other learning and
opportunities. Failing to address its decline would compromise BC’s ability to
support individual success and the province’s broader aspirations for a
thriving, equitable society. This makes local action indispensable, even in the
face of global trends.