Continuing education: Overview
 |  | The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) define the continuing education in the "Recommendation for continuing education of adults" of 20 February 2003 as follows: "Further education comprises the entirety of the learning process in which adults develop their abilities, broaden their knowledge and improve their professional and vocational qualifications or re-orientate themselves to satisfy their own requirements and those of their social environment." |
Continuing education area
Traditionall, education has been understood to comprise three levels (primary, secondary and tertiary level). However, a more comprehensive understanding of education is becoming generally accepted that comprises a fourth level called continuing education or adult education. The term continuing education is not meant to suggest that there is an even higher education level than the tertiary level. What is meant is that adult education as the fourth main area of the education system differs substantially from the other three levels in the sense that it is directed at adults. Only those extra-curricula content areas are treated that are useful in connection with the experiences gained in an adult's private and professional life. The term of continuing education not only implies self-reliance but also underlines the connection to the other three areas or levels. The similarities of the numerous contents (general and professional basic proficiencies, scientific systematics, etc.) also result in overlapping that can be prove useful.
Adult continuing education
Today, continuing education for adults is on its way to being integrated as an integral element of the education system. It is based on the acquired competences of the primary, lower and upper secondary levels and the tertiary level as well as on the experiences gained in people's professional, social and private lives. School education, professional training and continuing education are therefore closely related.
Traditionall, education has been understood to comprise three levels (primary, secondary and tertiary level). However, a more comprehensive understanding of education is becoming generally accepted that comprises a fourth level called continuing education or adult education. The term continuing education is not meant to suggest that there is an even higher education level than the tertiary level. What is meant is that adult education as the fourth main area of the education system differs substantially from the other three levels in the sense that it is directed at adults. Only those extra-curricula content areas are treated that are useful in connection with the experiences gained in an adult's private and professional life. The term of continuing education not only implies self-reliance but also underlines the connection to the other three areas or levels. The similarities of the numerous contents (general and professional basic proficiencies, scientific systematics, etc.) also result in overlapping that can be prove useful.
Adult continuing education
Today, continuing education for adults is on its way to being integrated as an integral element of the education system. It is based on the acquired competences of the primary, lower and upper secondary levels and the tertiary level as well as on the experiences gained in people's professional, social and private lives. School education, professional training and continuing education are therefore closely related.
| Further information on continuing education |
 | Developments |
| Statistical data |
| Terms of admission |
| Course contents |
| Organisation |
