Municipal adult education

Municipal adult education, which is part of the national adult education system, was set up in 1968 to provide adults with skills at levels corresponding to compulsory school - basic adult education - and upper secondary school - upper secondary adult education.

Municipal adult education is regulated by the Education Act and the Ordinance on Municipal Adult Education. The new Education Act will apply to municipal adult education from 1 July 2012, and is based on the goals and strategies approved by the Riksdag in the spring of 2001. An extensive reform and regeneration of municipal adult education is under way with various Government measures, including the Adult Education Initiative and vocational adult eduction.

Municipal adult education and upper secondary schools have a joint curriculum, Lpf 94. The goals of the national subject plans for upper secondary adult education and upper secondary schools are also the same. The contents may, however, take different forms. Moreover, locally initiated courses can be set up in municipal adult education to meet local or regional needs. Individual programmes can also be organised in upper secondary adult education.

Under the present provisions, the contents of municipal adult education are to be based on the needs and abilities of the individual. Every student is also to receive an individual study plan. This must be based on the abilities and life situation of the individual.

Accessibility and flexibility as regards time and location must be a major feature of the adult education system. Activities are to be informed by consideration of the skills acquired by an adult in other contexts, such as his or her working and social life. Validation will thus be an important point of departure when designing educational activities.

Municipal adult education may be designed and implemented in close cooperation with representatives of the infrastructure developed by municipalities together with other actors and stakeholders, such as employers and representatives of other policy areas. Introductory courses may be organised locally at basic or upper secondary level to provide opportunities for analysis, guidance and validation.

The aim of basic adult education is to help adults gain the knowledge and skills they need to take part in society and working life. It is also meant to prepare adults for further study. Municipalities must offer basic adult education to all adults who lack the skills usually acquired in compulsory school.

In turn, the aim of upper secondary adult education is to equip adults with knowledge and skills at a level corresponding to that of an upper secondary school education. During the selection process, those among the qualified applicants with short periods of formal education should be given precedence.

In all forms of municipal adult education, the adult can obtain grades or certificates. If certain conditions are met, school leaving certificates can also be issued.