Proceedings of The 7th World Conference on Teaching and Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Development Trends of Non-Formal Adult Education in Ukraine During the War
Olga Nakonechna
ABSTRACT:
The status of Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership determines the development and adaptation of the national education system, and adult education in particular, to common European practices. Statistical studies of trends in the development of non-formal adult education (hereinafter – NFAE), as part of lifelong learning, are conducted annually in the EU countries. Ukraine does not have such a practice. Therefore, the author attempted to study the trends in the development of NFAE in Ukraine in general and the phenomenon of its development during the war in particular. The study entitled “Non-formal adult education in Ukraine in 2023” was conducted through an online survey from February 28, to April 18, 2024. 254 respondents, aged 18 to 69, from 21 regions of Ukraine (which is 87.5% of its territory) took part in it. Its results showed that adult Ukrainians consider additional education as a necessary component of their professional life, even in times of uncertainty. So, in 2023, 89.9% of adult respondents were engaged in non-formal education. For the vast majority of adults, the need to upgrade their qualifications, as well as the “quick” mastery of a new profession became the main motivation for taking non-formal education. Among the key criteria for choosing to train programs are quality and completeness, professionalism of lecturers, cost, and reputation of the institution. Despite the state of war in Ukraine, most respondents try to take advantage of more opportunities for non-formal education in Ukraine or abroad, and many have increased their desire to improve their qualifications and skills. Consequently, the development of NFAE in Ukraine is active and demonstrates its growing role during rapid demographic changes and changes in the labor market during the war.
keywords: adult additional education, lifelong learning, non-formal adult education in times of uncertainty, statistical studies