Rationale of the law
The aim of this law, which is unique in the Latin American and Caribbean region, is to ensure and promote lifelong quality education for all citizens by facilitating continuing education. The law emphasizes the right to lifelong learning, the four pillars of learning proposed by the Delors Report and non-formal education for all ages. The law also stresses the social, economic and cultural benefits of learning and contains a clear proposal on monitoring and evaluation.
Concept of lifelong learning
Non-formal education in the context of a lifelong learning culture includes all learning opportunities offered outside of formal education and targeted at persons of any age.
Main targets and measures
- Educational sectors that are targeted in the document:
- Early childhood education; primary and secondary education; higher, technical and vocational education; adult and continuing education
- Targets or actions to be taken:
- Strong emphasis on the right to education for the most vulnerable groups
Particular feature of the law
The law proposes best practices in the following areas:
- Workplace and community learning
- Integration of societal interests into the field of lifelong learning (health issues, gender and social equality, inclusion of marginalized groups, etc.)
- Including information and communications technologies in the learning process
- Funding
- Quality assurance and the establishment of an evaluation body
- Innovative form of stakeholder involvement
- Clear scheme for implementation covering stakeholders, timeline, funding, etc.
Stakeholders involved in the development of the strategy:
- The National Debate on Education was launched in 2006. The results of this process were recorded and disseminated in the Final Report of the Organizing Committee of the Education Debate (CODE).
- In 2007, discussions took place with organizations such as the Administración Nacional de Educación Pública (National Public Education Administration), the University of the Republic and trade unions.
- In order to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the public debate on education, a draft of the law was made available. Officers from the Ministry of Education visited institutions and communities across the country to collect feedback.
Issuing Body
Ministerio de Educación y Cultura
