Recurrent Education, Policy and Development in OECD Member Countries: United Kingdom.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper aims to give a brief account of the present provision of education in the United Kingdom which can in some way be characterized as reflecting the principles of recurrent education. Recurrent education refers to periods of formal or structured study, undertaken largely in institutions, at various stages in the lifespan of an individual. This is one of a number of member country reports on recurrent education issued by the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation for the Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The paper examines the present thinking on this subject in the United Kingdom and outlines possible future developments. Recurrent education in the United Kingdom is described in its two presently occurring forms of further education and adult education. Future developments are foreseen in the extension of inservice provisions, in retraining of workers in industry and business, and in more adult education for cultural and recreational purposes. (Author/KSM)