Whereas adult basic education provides adult learners with access to courses and skills training from basic literacy to adult high school graduation, but in 2014 the provincial government announced 6.9 million in cuts to adult basic education programming in BC and, at the same time, introduced provisions to allow the charging of tuition fees for adult basic education; And whereas charging tuition fees for adult basic education reduces enrolment and negatively impacts current and prospective adult learners: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government reinstate long-term, dedicated funding for adult basic education in British Columbia, in order to provide adult learners with continuing opportunities to develop literacy, numeracy and computer skills, as well as social skills and self-confidence.
Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills Training The Provincial Government is committed to ensuring that British Columbians have equitable access to the Adult Basic Education ABE programs that help them gain the literacy and numeracy skills to meet their education, employment and societal goals. In August 2017, the Premier announced reinstatement of the tuition-free policy for domestic students accessing ABE and English Language Learning ELL programs in the public post-secondary system, effective September 1, 2017. During the Fall of 2017, the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training engaged with post-secondary institutions, staff, students and other partners to discuss policies that will ensure domestic students in ABE and ELL programs are successful in their studies, and that these tuition-free programs remain sustainable within institutions and across the sector. Ministry of Education There are two categories of adult learners age 19 and older in British Columbias K-12 system. Non-graduated adults take courses towards their high school graduation. These students were already not paying tuition. Graduated adults are those who have completed a dogwood or high school diploma and are seeking to upgrade their qualifications, either by repeating a course for a higher grade or taking a new course needed for post-secondary entry. Prior to the reinstatement of tuition free upgrading courses, these students were paying tuition fees, unless they were taking Foundations courses, which are popular with graduated immigrant adults with English language learning needs. A policy change instated on September 1, 2017, has now enabled all adult learners to take tuition-free ABE academic upgrading courses in the K-12 sector. School districts have welcomed the restoration of tuition-free upgrading courses for graduated adults and have been able to respond to this policy change through gradual expansion of existing capacities across BC regions. A complete list of tuition-free courses for graduated adults currently available in school district programs is provided below: Tuition-free ABE Courses for Graduated Adults in K-12 Foundations Courses 1. English Levels 12: Companion Reading 2. LF English Level 12: Companion Speaking Listening 3. English Level 1: Core 4. English Level 2: Core 5. English Level 34: Companion Reading 6. English Level 34: Companion Writing 7. English Level 3: Core 8. English Level 4: Core 9. English Level 567: Companion Writing 10. English Level 5: Core 11. English Level 6: Core 12. English Level 7: Core 13. Information Communications Technology 14. Math Level 1 15. Math Level 2 16. Math Level 3 17. Math Level 4 18. Math Level 5 19. Math Level 6: Apprenticeship Workplace 20. Math Level 6: Math Foundations 21. Math Level 7: Apprenticeship Workplace 22. Math Level 7: Math Foundations 23. Science: Biology 24. Science: Chemistry 25. Science: Physics 26. Social Studies Upgrading Courses 1. First Peoples English 12 2. Communications 11 3. Communications 12 4. English 11 5. Franais langue premire 11 6. English 12 7. Franais langue premire 12 8. Biology 11 9. Biologie 11 10. Biology 12 11. Biologie 12 12. Chemistry 11 13. Chimie 11 14. Chemistry 12 15. Chimie 12 16. Physics 11 17. Physique 11 18. Physics 12 19. Physique 12 Math 11: 20. Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 11 21. Mathmatiques pour les mtiers et le milieu de travail 11 22. Foundations of Math 11 23. Fondements mathmathiques 11 24. Pre-Calculus 11 25. Pr-calcul 11 Math 12: 26. Applications of Math 12 27. Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 12 28. Mathmathiques pour les mtiers et le milieu de travail 12 29. Essentials of Math 12 30. Foundations of Math 12 31. Fondements mathmathiques 12 32. Pre-Calculus 12 33. Pr-calcul 12 34. Principles of Math 12 35. Calculus 12 36. Calcul diffrentiel et intgral 12