14.12.2022

For a new approach to quality in ALE

Quality assurance in adult learning and education (ALE) can be more challenging than in other sectors – the provision is very fragmented and in many countries it is underfunded and not easily categorised. EAEA’s Quality Working Group developed recommendations for a new approach to quality assurance for the sector.

Read the full paper: EAEA calls for a new approach to quality in adult learning and education (pdf)

With the (possible) introduction or increase of Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs), the question of quality assurance has become very relevant again in adult learning and education. Quality can be seen from very diverse points of view: it can concern accreditation (either for institutions or programmes), it can concern the quality management systems (ISO and other norm systems, etc.), and it can concern the training and development of teachers and trainers.

In a recent meeting of the Quality Working Group and other EAEA members, the participants highlighted:

  • In some countries, there is an attempt to transfer quality frameworks or systems of other sectors (mainly CVET and Higher Education) for ALE. EAEA members are concerned that this does not work for ALE and puts small organisations in particular at a disadvantage due to the high administrative burden and often high costs of quality certification. Sometimes, quality assurance is provided for formal ALE institutions but not for non-formal ALE.
  • In some cases, quality measures are meant to ‘clean the market’. By evaluating quality through very technical criteria, small organisations have difficulties complying with them although they do excellent work with the learners.

EAEA has a number of suggestions and recommendations that should be taken into account so that learners can benefit from high-quality offers in non-formal ALE through their Individual Learning Accounts:

  • Quality assurance should be ethical, humanistic and holistic.
  • Quality assurance should take the specificities of the ALE sector into account. Small organisations can provide high-quality learning programmes. Self-assessment can be very helpful in these cases.
  • Particular attention should be paid to staff development, especially teachers and trainers.
  • In order to manage quality assurance in ALE, ministries are encouraged to set up guidance and information for institutions, ideally quality advisers who can work with organisations. It is also recommended to set up (online) information and tools that will support anyone working in this area.
  • Quality indicators need to be chosen carefully. A too-simple indicator might not demonstrate the full quality and impact of the programme.

EAEA recommends a bundle of indicators that take different aspects (esp. the learner’s) into account:

  • Quality cannot be seen as separate from its environment. Infrastructure for high-quality provision needs to be set up so that ALE organisations can do their best. This concerns, for example, the professional development of educators and other ALE staff, guidance and counselling, and a system for the validation of prior learning. Quality for the learner can only be achieved in an enabling context.
  • ALE organisations should make sure that the learner is involved in the design of their learning programme as much as possible.
  • Transparency about quality criteria is necessary for learners and organisations.

Text: EAEA

27.11.2023 cooperation

Connecting research, policy and practice: a new collaboration brings EAEA and ESREA closer together

A memorandum of understanding, signed last summer by EAEA and the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA), aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two organisations. EAEA’s Gina Ebner and ESREA’s Marcella Milana reflect on the past and future activities that brought both networks closer.

21.11.2023 advocacy

We need skills for the labour market - and beyond!

EAEA welcomes the great interest that the European Year of Skills (EYS) has brought to skills and ALE, as we believe that this area is of enormous importance for the future of Europe. Six months into the thematic year, it is time to take stock, shedding light on the connection between skills and work – and looking at how we can go beyond skills for the labour market.

30.10.2023 EAEA Grundtvig Award 2023

Sustainable agriculture and women's empowerment in Armenia

In the picturesque regions of Shirak and Gegharkunik in Armenia, an initiative was born with a clear mission: to enhance the economic well-being of local women. While focusing on economic empowerment it has also sparked a green revolution in the community. This project has earned itself the 2023 EAEA Grundtvig Award in the national category for adult learning and the green transition.