From project-based to system-based adult education

Borut Mikulec

Summary:  The paper presents the results of an analysis of the systemic regulation of adult education in Slovenia. The systemic regulation of adult education in Slovenia is analysed from the perspective of theoretical insights provided by studies of educational policies and international and comparative studies in adult education. The methodological framework of the analysis represents analysis of the primary legislative documents and educational policies regulating adult education that have been produced in the period from 1991 to 2020. The analysis shows that in Slovenia, important steps have been taken in the regulation of adult education over the last three decades (the adoption of the National Programme, the Annual Programmes, and the Law on Adult Education), but that these have still not sufficiently addressed the systemic regulation of adult education: governance, legislation, financing, the network of providers and educational programmes. Additionally, the functioning of the network, the educational offer and the development of adult education remain entirely dependent on short-term calls for tenders and project funding from the European Social Fund. Based on the analysis carried out, I conclude with proposals that need to be addressed in the systemic regulation of adult education in this decade.