>   Future Research   >   Future Reports   >   Research Reports

Research Reports

The National Assembly Futures Institute publishes reports that predict and analyze the changes in the future environment based on a comprehensive perspective, and derive mid- to long-term national development strategies in consideration of the preferences of the citizens
[20-09] Strategy for Building a Future Lifelong Learning System: an Exploration Study

Date : 2020-12-31 item : [20-01] Research Report P.I : NAFI

[20-09] Strategy for Building a Future Lifelong Learning System: an Exploration Study

Lifelong  learning  has  been  receiving  a  great  deal  of  attention due  to  a number  of  macro-environmental  changes,  including  the  4th  industrial revolution, the current low fertility rate, and the resulting aging of society. The  government  is  striving  to  support  lifelong  learning  for  the  people  by planning and implementing various policies. However, the policies under a public system for learning support need to be more comprehensive  and systematic, so that they can address people’s learning according to their life stages. In this context, this study aimed to explore strategies for establishing a future lifelong learning support system, and to suggest policy tasks from a mid-to-long-term perspective. This study categorized areas of the  future lifelong  learning  support  system  according  to  people’s  life  stages:  (a) Elementary  and  secondary  education  for  children  and  youth,  (b) Adult vocational  education  and  training  (higher  education  and  continuing education),  and  (c)  Adult  lifelong  education  (higher  education and  adult liberal arts education). To formulate policy tasks for building a future lifelong learning  system,  this  study  conducted an integrative literature review (Torraco,  2005).  Based  on  the  results  of  the  integrative  literature  review, several policy tasks were suggested.  

In terms of mid-to-long-term policy tasks for children and youth (elementary and secondary education), the following policy tasks to build a future lifelong learning system were suggested:

• Establishing  a  competency  assessment  system  for  lifelong  competency management Providing  education  support  for  children  and  adolescents  to  improve access to higher education

• Enhancing flexibility of elementary and secondary education curriculum• Improving the college admission system for competency-based curriculum implementation

• Reducing the lifelong learning competency gaps between the disadvantaged and other students in elementary and secondary education

Regarding the mid-to-long-term policy tasks for adult vocational education and  training  (higher  education  and  continuing  education),  the  following policy tasks to build a future lifelong learning system were suggested:

• Revising the laws related to lifelong learning and vocational education and training

• Establishing public and private learning infrastructures

• Providing professional human resource development service support for new fields of technology

• Providing personalized career development services

• Establishing a social safety net for vocational training

As for mid-to-long-term policy tasks for the adult lifelong education (higher education and adult liberal arts education), the following policy tasks were suggested to build a future lifelong learning system:

• Revising and enacting laws related to lifelong education

• Securing finance for lifelong education

• Bridging the widening gaps in lifelong learning opportunities

• Institutionalizing education for the elderly

• Recognizing the limitations of the government-led lifelong learning system

Lifelong  learning  system  as  a  complex  space:  focusing  on  emerging learning demands and supplies

• Designing personalized learning programs according to people’s life stages

• Forming a social consensus regarding lifelong learning as a right

• Exploring and discussing concepts related to lifelong learning