Overview: adult education in Slovakia

Slovakia’s 2015 Lifelong Learning Strategy is supplemented by a range of other policies. The 2014-2020 National Programme of Active Ageing 2014-2020 seeks to activate the adult population and the 2018 Strategy for the Mobility of Foreigners in the Labor Market aims towards improving status and employment options for migrants coming into Slovakia. The 2015 Act on Vocational Education and Training is another cornerstone of adult education, which is subsequently implemented through the updated Slovak Qualifications Framework. The most recent LLL strategy seeks to :

• promote professional and personal growth, including financial literacy, entrepreneurial competencies, ability to communicate in world languages, digital literacy, active citizenship
• establish quality control mechanisms
• recognize non-formal and informal learning
• finance further education

Although Slovakia is known for a high standard regarding higher education, participation in adult education remains relatively low. Non-formal learning still receives low levels of recognition in Slovakia and there is a lack of provision, funding and adequately trained professionals. Furthermore, digital literacy remains low, especially among the older population.

Overall, the adult learning sector is underdeveloped in Slovakia and access is limited by socio-economic status. Minorities, such as Roma students and low skilled adults face particular difficulties in participation. The government aims to introduce validation mechanisms and improve the governance of adult education, which are good steps in making adult learning a reality for all.