Making numbers work for you this 26TEN Week

Roger Jaensch, Minister for Education, Children and Youth

This year’s 26TEN Week focuses on the role numbers play in our daily lives, with the theme ‘Making Numbers Work for You’.

In bringing numeracy to everyone’s attention, 26TEN and the Rockliff Liberal Government are encouraging all Tasmanians to recognise the benefits of lifting skills with everyday numbers.

Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch, said 26TEN aims for all Tasmanians to benefit from being confident to use numbers to their advantage at work, at home with their families and in their local communities.

“Numeracy is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in today’s world, however, many adults are challenged by concepts such as understanding budgets, calculating percentages and interest rates and interpreting data or measurements,” Minister Jaensch said.

“By making it easier for adults to develop their ability with numbers, we can improve skills and create a more prosperous and equitable society.”

Activities to celebrate 26TEN Week include:

  • The Supermarket Challenge: estimate the cost of a bag of shopping displayed at your local library, in your 26TEN Community (Clarence Plains, Launceston Northern Suburbs, Glenorchy or Huon / Geeveston region) or online at www.26ten.tas.gov.au
  • Workshops teaching adult literacy practitioners and volunteers how to make learning maths practical and enjoyable will be led by world-renowned numeracy expert and Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), Dave Tout.

“We hope to inspire more adults to take an active role in their own learning, and to make numbers work for them,” Minister Jaensch said.

“I encourage all adults to participate in 26TEN Week and take advantage of the resources and support available through libraries, neighbourhood houses and other community groups and through participating businesses.

“Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Tasmania.”

26TEN Week is an annual event that celebrates the importance of adult literacy and numeracy in Tasmania. It is a time to recognise the efforts of individuals, organisations, and communities who are working to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for adults.

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