Flexible study opportunities have been created for adult learners: distance learning and evening courses, external study and part-time study, as well as participation in various courses.
Formal education acquired within the adult education system allows adults to acquire basic and general secondary education at adult upper secondary schools through distance learning, evening courses or external study. Adult upper secondary schools are flexible in preparing individual curricula and adapt the study process to the needs of the students, allowing them to study single subjects, for example.
In addition to formal education, institutions of vocational education and higher education are providing increasingly more continuing education courses and retraining courses. These courses allow adults to acquire and improve their professional, occupational and speciality knowledge, skills and experience as well as to retrain themselves.
Training courses allow students to develop their creativity, talents and social skills also. Such training is usually linked to people’s interests and hobbies. Although this training is mainly provided by informal education centres, it is also available at many other training institutions.
The Association of Estonian Adult Educators ANDRAS and the Ministry of Education and Research have been organising the Adult Learners’ Week every autumn since 1998.
The objectives of this week are to value education, learners and educators, and introduce learning opportunities. The activities of the Adult Learners’ Week have expanded over the years and events are organised throughout the entire year, in addition to the main event, which lasts a week.
The acquisition of basic and general secondary education through evening courses, distance learning and external study is free for the adult learner.
In the field of vocational education, many flexible forms of vocational training and forms of study have been implemented for adult learners, with part-time study provided for the learners free of charge.
Part-time study is usually not free for students in the field of higher education. In order to be able to obtain a state-funded study place, the learner must apply for a full-time study programme. Free part-time higher education is provided in nationally prioritised fields, e.g. for teachers without a higher education.
The Adult Education Act is the central act of the adult education system. It stipulates the right of every person to constantly develop their knowledge and skills, the obligations of the state and local governments in the coordination of adult training, and the obligation of employers to grant study leave to learners engaged in distance learning, evening courses, external study or part-time study.
Other important acts of legislation that regulate adult education include the following:
- The regulation of the Minister of Education and Research, "The Procedure for and Conditions of Attending a Basic School or Upper Secondary School in the Form of Evening Courses or Distance Learning, and Graduating from School as an External Student", regulates the learning opportunities of adults in basic schools and upper secondary schools;
- The regulation of the Minister of Education and Research, "The Procedure and Conditions for Organising Professional Education for Adults by Vocational Educational Institutions" regulates the organisation of adult professional training by institutions of vocational education;
- The regulation of the Minister of Education and Research, "The Procedure for the Formation of State-Commissioned Education within the Area of Government of the Ministry of Education and Research" legalised state-commissioned adult vocational education as a new type of state-commissioned education in 2007;
- The Higher Education Act regulates full-time and part-time study and external study, and the organisation of training courses as well as the recognition of previous study and work experience;
- The Private Schools Act regulates the establishment and operation of private schools. Pursuant to the Act, all legal persons in private law who provide studies for a duration that exceeds 120 hours or six months per year must establish a private school and apply for an education licence.
Last updated: 17.10.2022
