Waikato Uni wins literacy, numeracy contract

Prof. Alister Jones: Waikato programme will help address literacy and numeracy needs.

The University of Waikato has won a three-year contract to lead and deliver professional development in adult literacy and numeracy.

The multimillion-dollar contract recently announced by minister Anne Tolley will see Waikato University train tutors at polytechnics, wananga, private training establishments and in workplaces. They will deliver leading-edge courses for trainers and develop a knowledge base in the area of adult literacy and numeracy.

Waikato University’s School of Education Dean Prof. Alister Jones says the contract ensures the university can establish a national programme to help the sector build its capability and to ensure on-going improvements in literacy and numeracy.

Most jobs have a need for literacy and numeracy but about 43 per cent of Kiwi adults have low literacy, and about 51 per cent have low levels of numeracy.

“Being able to read and write and work with numbers is vital to learning new skills and having higher value, higher paid work. It’s also very important to life outside the workplace,” he says.

The aim is to embed literacy and numeracy in programmes delivered at tertiary organisations and train the tutors to also identify when students need help.

“We know that improving literacy and numeracy skills best happens when the learning is closely linked to the learner’s immediate context, learning needs and interests. However this requires well-qualified tutors who can teach literacy and numeracy,” Prof. Jones says.