European Social Fund Programmes
Popularization of adult education
The programme was launched in 2008 and is being carried out by the Association of Estonian Adult Educators ANDRAS. The following activities are taking place in the course of the popularization programme:
Information activities
- The ongoing organization of the Adult Learners Week. The Association of Estonian Adult Educators ANDRAS and the Ministry of Education and Research have been organizing the Adult Learners Week every autumn since 1998. The Adult Learners Week is aimed at promoting education, recognizing learners and teachers, and introducing learning opportunities. The activities of the Adult Learners Week have expanded over the years. The largest events include the recognition of adult learners, the adult education pre-forum and forum, and the adult learners forum which has convened since 2005.
- As of 1 January 2009, the show Huvitaja broadcast on the public radio station Vikerraadio is focused on adult education. The show is aired at 10.05 AM and it is also possible to listen to it afterwards on the Vikerraadio website.
- Beginning on 1 September 2009, Estonian Television will be showing the series Tagatargemad. All together, 53 shows will be produced in the series.
- The adult education magazine Õpitrepp has been published as of March 2009. Nine issues of the magazine will be published during the programme.
Training activities
Qualification courses are organized for adult educators, workshops are held for qualified educators and continuing education is provided for teachers at adult upper secondary schools and institutions of vocational education.
Development activities
The professional standard for adult educators/andragogics professionals is being updated and cooperation seminars are being conducted between adult upper secondary schools and institutions of vocational education.
Adult education at popular adult education centres
The programme was initiated in 2008 and is being carried out by the Estonian Non-formal Adult Education Association. The following activities are taking place in the course of the programme:
Training activities
Training will be provided for at least 40,000 people. The training courses will take place in at least 45 popular adult education centres in all counties. The training courses will provide information on the knowledge and skills necessary for increasing professional competitiveness and the key competences for lifelong learning required for coping successfully: communication in the mother tongue, communication in foreign languages, digital competence, learning to learn, social and civic competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, cultural awareness and expression. Training courses are also held for adult educators and experts engaged in the field. Training will be provided for at least 200 people. The main subjects will include: adult teaching and learning, supporting adult learners in their pursuit of education, managing adult education centres, managing the education process, teamwork.
Development activities:
- conducting a study regarding the education process in the popular adult education centres;
- assessment of the quality of the education centres;
- developing a technique for determining education needs and new target groups;
- developing study programmes;
- procuring information and communication technology equipment for adult education centres chosen as a result of a competition;
- updating the websites of popular adult education centres.
Work-related training and development activities for adults
The programme was launched in the summer of 2009 under the guardianship of the Vocational and Adult Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Research.
Training the adult population
In the course of the programme, free work-related training courses are held at institutions of vocational education and institutions of professional higher education that provide vocational training. In 2009–2012, at least 33,000 people will receive training in the course of the programme. Training courses will be held in all counties. In addition, at least 270 adult educators and experts engaged in this field will be trained. The target group includes educators and experts from institutions of vocational education and professional higher education as well as institutions of higher education and private education establishments.
Development activities:
- analyzing and updating the methodology for managing state-commissioned education at the level of the state as well as the educational institutions;
- developing study programmes for work-related training;
- analyzing the activities of private education establishments;
- creating an adult education sub-module in the Estonian Education Information System;
- conducting studies and analyses.
