Students move to Vancouver Island to upgrade their education

Students are moving to central Vancouver Island to cash in on lower Adult Basic Education (ABE) costs at Malaspina University-College.

Tara Ethier moved to Nanaimo from Alberta in September to upgrade her education at Malaspina. Allyson Bailey moved to Parksville from Saskatchewan for the same reason. Both students say it would cost 10 times more - $550 per course – to upgrade their education in their home provinces. Malaspina's ABE students pay a nominal commitment fee of $50 per course.

“I wanted to upgrade my education in Saskatchewan, where I graduated from high school, but as a single mom, I couldn’t afford it,” said Bailey.  “My mom encouraged me to move to Vancouver Island with my two kids, and take ABE classes at Malaspina. I jumped at the chance. It’s a perfect opportunity and much more affordable.”

Bailey, who wants to become a nurse, is currently taking ABE courses in English and Biology 12 at the Parksville/Qualicum Centre. In January she’ll take Math and Chemistry 11, the last two prerequisites she needs to apply to Malaspina’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Ethier also plans to enter the nursing program once she upgrades her education.

Gord Buzzard, coordinator of Malaspina's ABE program at the Parksville/Qualicum Centre, said the cost of education should never deter people from returning to school.

Malaspina's ABE classes are offered in Parksville, and at campuses in Nanaimo, Duncan and Powell River. Flexible programming, including daytime or evening courses, meets the needs of most students, said Buzzard.

“Roughly half of the students who enrol in ABE do so to obtain their high school diploma,” he said. “Generally, these are people who dropped out of high school as teenagers. Later in life they realize they need more education. They come to ABE to obtain their high school equivalency for personal satisfaction, or because they have definite plans to pursue a new career or obtain a better job.”

Other ABE students have completed high school, but take courses to obtain prerequisites they need to apply to Malaspina’s trade, career or university programs. 

For students who need it, Malaspina offers the ABE Student Assistance Program (ABESAP). Non-repayable grants are available to students who qualify. "This funding covers the cost of textbooks, student fees and, in some cases, the commitment fee," said Buzzard. Bursaries are also available.

Malaspina’s ABE program also includes free courses in basic literacy skills. “We teach some students how to read, write or deal with learning disabilities,” Buzzard explained. “We match them one-on-one with community volunteers because we’ve found that tutoring is the most effective way to help these students. After completing basic literacy, students are ready to move into ABE courses."

Students can register for Malaspina’s ABE program throughout the year. For more information, contact the Parksville/Qualicum Centre at 248-2096, the Nanaimo campus at 740-6425, or check the website at www.viu.ca.