Adult Education

Adult education is an essential aspect of education aimed at individuals who have already gone through the initial education phase and who use lifelong learning to develop skills in sociocultural and/or scientific components, of a formal or informal nature. The European Union (EU) attaches great importance to adult education, as it contributes to promoting social inclusion, qualifying the population, increasing employability and building a more informed and participatory society.

By crossing these two fields, comparative education and adult education, we can analyze how different countries approach adult education, identify effective strategies in different contexts and adapt these approaches to the specific needs of each community. This comparative study can contribute to the development of more effective policies and more successful adult education programs in Portugal, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Indicators

To carry out an effective comparison of Adult Education between three different countries, it is crucial to establish the specific indicators that we intend to evaluate. These indicators will serve as fundamental metrics for our analysis and will allow for a fair and equitable comparison.

When analyzing adult education in the three countries, we identified several priorities. These include literacy, primary and secondary education, formal and non-formal education, the development of professional skills and the integration of emigrants and ethnic minorities. To adopt a comparative method, it is necessary to evaluate each of these indicators in each country, as there must be homogeneity for a comparison to take place.

The specific indicators we intend to evaluate are the following:

Literacy Rate: Refers to the percentage of the adult population that is able to read and write. A higher literacy rate indicates a more effective education system and a more literate population;

Educational Levels: Measures the percentage of adults aged between 18 and 65 who have completed the 4th year, 6th year, 9th year and 12th year of schooling. This indicator provides an overview of the level of formal education achieved by the adult population;

Rate of Adults in Higher Education: Refers to the percentage of professionally active adults who are attending higher education. A higher rate may indicate a higher level of educational aspiration and a greater investment in continuing education;

Rate of Emigrants and Ethnic Minorities in Adult Education: Measures the percentage of emigrants and ethnic minorities who are attending adult education systems. This indicator can provide valuable information about inclusion and equity.

These indicators will allow a comprehensive and coherent comparison of Adult Education in the three countries, providing a clear view of the similarities and differences between their education systems.