Dublin, July 6th, 2011 Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining current and future areas for collaboration. The two organisations have worked together since 1997 and are strengthening their partnership to address professional development for those working in the sector, policy in adult literacy and adult basic education and research into the adult literacy field.

According to the last international survey, one in four or 25% of Irish adults have literacy difficulties. Adults who have literacy difficulties are often unable to understand health and safety information, how to access public services, how to complete a driver theory exam or how to vote. Equally, parents who have literacy difficulties may be unable to support their own children with their reading and writing. Currently in Ireland up to 30% of children from disadvantaged areas leave primary school with literacy difficulties.

The partnership between WIT and NALA provides third level qualifications to those working with adults with literacy difficulties. The objective being to develop a professional workforce across the adult literacy sector whose work is informed by current academic research and theory in adult literacy and the knowledge and competences of a large practitioner base. The third level programmes delivered by the partnership have been developed in consultation with representatives from the VEC sector, stakeholders in adult basic education nationally and WIT and NALA. The partnership receives funding on an annual basis from the Department of Education and Skills.
Waterford Institute of Technology is a third level institution based Waterford providing third level programmes to 10,000 full and part-time students.

The National Adult Literacy Agency is an independent charity committed to making sure people with literacy and numeracy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs

More news