A KPMG Foundation study found that the investment of one would save at least 15.
The details can be learned by searching, ‘Reading scheme will save taxpayer money, study finds, Education Guardian. Reading scheme saves taxpayer, BBC News.’ Individual attention given to struggling readers pays huge dividends.
The benefits to the taxpayer would come through lower spending on special educational needs, crime, poor employment prospects,and other social costs. Not counted were the effects of poor health, and substance abuse beyond the age of 18.
The government would also have much higher income through tax and national insurance paid by people with better paid jobs or not on benefits.
Teachers are fighting for smaller classes so they can provide the individual attention that helps students succeed.
Your bright child or grandchild may for some reason, struggle with learning to read. Why should they be at a disadvantage because B.C. spends on average about $1,000.00 less per child than other provinces?
What is the cost of the personal loss of potential? A frustrated none reader may strike out later and cost society millions. By investing in children now our government would have productive tax payers.
The average reading level of a young offender in B.C. is Grade 7.
It costs $30,000 to $40,000 a year to keep someone in jail. Why do private schools advertise small classes?
Under-funding education leads to rising inequality that undermines social mobility and equality of opportunity.
Many countries are waking up to the drivers of prosperity. It is to our own financial benefit to support teachers’ requests and to invest in our precious human capital.
I am a retired teacher who for the past 18 years has helped to train thousands of volunteer tutors with the One to One Literacy program provided by Junction Literacy in Vernon.
I also tutor struggling readers and have witnessed the benefits of providing trained assistance to readers who could be facing a lifetime of disadvantages.
The tutors have many inspirational stories about students who felt depressed because they could not read as well as their peers,but now love reading.
I have marveled at the strength of teachers who have suffered through 12 years of cuts. Teachers are fighting to give personal attention to students.
Now is the time to invest in our precious human capital.
James Quigg
Coldstream
