Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in EstoniaEstonian Government adopted on 3rd November 2005 Estonian Strategy of Lifelong Learning 2005-2008. Despite the name of the strategy it focuses mainly on developments in adult education. Lifelong Learning Strategy is the fist strategic document fixing states goals in adult education after Estonia re-established its independence in 1991.
In Estonia the concept of adult learner is in general not related to the age of the learner. According to our legislation adult learner is a learner whose premier or main activity is other than studying, i.e. he/she is working or taking care of children and studying at the same time.
Since November 1993, adult education is governed by the Adult Education Act which provides for adults lifelong individual development i.e. settles the obligations of the government and local authorities as well as employers in coordination and implementation of adult education; the funding of adult education from the state budget.
According to the Adult Education Act, adult education is one of the following:
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formal education in adult comprehensive schools (Gümnaasium), vocational education institutions or higher education institutions,
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professional education and training,
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non-formal education (popular adult education).
The main objective of the Estonian Lifelong Learning Strategy is to improve adults’ opportunities and motivation for participating in formal, non-formal and informal learning in order to improve their knowledge and skills according to their own needs, the needs of the society and labour market.
Nine main objectives of the Strategy:
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Creating opportunities for lifelong learning for all adults according to their abilities and needs;
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Transparent funding of adult education and training;
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Non-Estonian adults are sufficiently fluent in the Estonian language in order to cope with life in society and with work; they can learn their mother tongue and be engaged in national cultural activities if they wish so.
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Quality assurance system for adult education and training;
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An information system for learners including information about education and training opportunities and career services.
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Professional qualifications system for employees; the system is necessary to ensure lifelong learning and free movement of labour force.
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A system of taking into account prior learning and work experience (VÕTA) is implemented in all fields and levels of study.
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Public, private and the third sector institutions are involved in the development of adult education and training system and policy.
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Reliable statistical data concerning adult education and training; regular surveys enabling to prepare forecasts for the development of the field.
Adult education is in Estonia in general not financed through the state budget – to participate in courses participant has to pay for it or it is paid by employers. At the end of last year the work to develop new financing scheme in adult education has started. Goal is to find a scheme, which supports in service training and retraining of adults and motivates entrepreneurs to train their employees. This scheme should include three paying parties – learners, employers and state.
Different surveys, carried out in Estonia, indicate, that two main reasons, why adults are staying out of training are: wrong attitudes – people are considering themselves too old for learning or find no use of learning and lack of money – learning is considered to be too expensive.
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