Reforms in Adult Education: looking for equilibrium ?

Ričardas TotoraitisMinistry of Education and Science, Lithuania

•1

Public Policy Cycle

Termination Problem indentification

Evaluation Agenda

Implementation Decision making

Policy formulation

Context: Economy

Context: Migration

Context: Unemployment

Policy formulation and implementation

• Lithuanian Lifelong Learning Strategy (2004). Focus on VET and competencies

• Lithuanian Lifelong Learning Strategy (2008). Focus on non- vocational adult education with elements of civic education, quality of life and health

Policy target

• Develop a comprehensive, integral and profitable system of lifelong learning, matching the strategic goals of the state and individual needs within the context of globalization.

• Similar measures – different result?

Political tensions. Mission imposible?

Between:•globalization and local challenges•market and individual needs•demand and supply•formal and informal education•studies, vocational training, general education, other education development priorities•left and right

Have been ongoing reforms succesful?

Participation of adults in lifelong learning in European countries (4 weeks period)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Turkey

MK

Croatia

Norw ay

Iceland

Bulgaria

Romania

Hungary

Slovakia

Greece

Lithuania

Poland

Latvia

Malta

France

Italy

Portugal

Ireland

Czech Republic

Belgium

Cyprus

Germany

EU-27

Spain

Estonia

Austria

Luxembourg

Slovenia

Netherlands

UK

Finland

Sw eden

Denmark

2009

2005

Participation in adult lifelong learning (25-64)

Data source: Eurostat (LFS) UK: 2007 instead of 2005, Sw eden: break in 2008

Have been on-going reforms succesful?

Have been on-going reforms succesful?

Termination

Conclusion

• For EC: to facilitate political dialogue between Member States on Adult Education policy because “the lack of sustainability of policy attention on Member State’s level causes instability in Member State’s commitment to the Europen Agenda on Adult Learning...”