About 50 percent of Sweden's adult population pursues studies in one form or another. A specifically Scandinavian form of adult education is the folk high school. By far the largest number of adult learners attend the study circles organized by the local branches of Sweden's educational associations. Formal adult education and vocational training are offered by the local education committees in all 286 municipalities. Municipal authorities are also mandated to organize adult basic education. Special adult educational opportunities include Swedish language instruction for immigrants, adult education for intellectually handicapped persons, national schools that offer the same kind of formal adult education as does municipal adult education, and public libraries and audiovisual centers. Participants in employment training receive free tuition and training allowances. Access is conditional on current or imminent unemployment. Inhouse education has expanded faster than any other form of adult education. The major trade unions have shown keen interest in the form and content of adult education. More responsibility for adult education has been vested in the municipalities; activities once controlled by regulations and funding are now managed by objectives and results. All categories of adult education generally receive government subsidies. Trade unions have assumed a leading role in program coordination; municipal governments and educational associations have initiated far-reaching collaboration. (YLB)
- Authorizing Institution
- Swedish Inst., Stockholm.
- Location
- Sweden
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- Reports - Descriptive
- Published in
- United States of America
