Liberal adult education

Liberal adult education

According to the Act on Liberal Adult Education (632/1998, section 1), the purpose of liberal adult education is to organise education that supports societal cohesion, equality and active citizenship based on the principle of lifelong learning. A key aspect is that participation in the education is open to everyone. The content of liberal adult education is not regulated by legislation, nor is it aimed at obtaining formal qualifications. The objectives and content of the education are determined by the education providers, which local authorities, joint municipal authorities, foundations and limited liability companies. Educational Institutions operating in liberal adult education offer opportunities for artists to find employment and enhance their skills.

Education is provided by adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities, sports training centres and study centres. The Ministry of Education and Culture grants licences to these institutions. The duration of studies varies. Courses can be evening classes or more comprehensive intensive periods. Often the courses provide civic knowledge and skills, or are hobby-oriented. Folk high schools also provide compulsory education. In such cases, studies can be full-time and may entitle students to financial aid from Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland). All study attainments can, under certain conditions, be recorded in the Koski service, through which individuals can verify their competencies. More information can be found here. Below is a brief overview of the entities that provide education related to arts and culture.

Adult education centres are primarily maintained by local authorities. Some institutes are private. This type of education is organised in every municipality. The task of adult education centres is to respond to regional and local educational needs and to provide opportunities for self-directed learning and the development of civic skills. In the field of arts, courses include various visual arts techniques, creative writing, theatre skills, as well as instrument and vocal instruction. The courses are often hobby-oriented. They offer participants opportunities to experiment with different fields and methods. Adult education centres can also provide basic education in the arts, which is discussed in a separate article here:…

Folk high schools are nationwide boarding schools that provide full-time education, offering self-directed studies for young people and adults, enhancing students’ study skills and fostering their development as individuals and members of society. The long-term education provided by folk high schools, i.e. the different subject studies, usually last for an academic year. In addition, they organise courses of varying lengths, including summer and weekend courses. Education at folk high schools is mostly general, such as languages, arts and culture, and communication. The schools also offer open higher education studies. Folk high school subject studies in arts, communication and media prepare students for higher education studies and professional roles in the field.

Summer universities are regional educational organisations that offer, among other things, open university education, professional continuing education, language training and short-term non-formal education. They also organise higher education-level courses, seminars and events in the arts and culture sectors, as well as university activities for the elderly. Their operations emphasise open higher education and responding to other regional knowledge and educational needs, taking into account the highly educated population. Summer universities have no age limits or prior education requirements. Artists can develop their skills through open higher education studies in the arts or other fields, such as economics or administration.

Study centres are run by private civic organisations. Half of their background organisations are affiliated with political parties and trade unions, while the rest are independent civic organisations. Study centres organise education independently and in collaboration with their member organisations. The educational offerings are shaped by the ideologies of the background organisations. The forms of education include courses and study circles, for which instructor training is also provided. In addition to liberal adult education, some study centres offer vocational continuing education, and some even provide vocational and specialist vocational qualifications in the fields of handicrafts and arts and design. The Citizens’ Forum is a study centre that aims to inspire cultural and civic engagement based on the principles of lifelong learning.

Sources:

Ministry of Education and Culture. Liberal adult education. https://okm.fi/en/liberal-adult-education (Accessed 11 March 2025).

Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities. Vapaa sivistystyö. https://www.kuntaliitto.fi/hyvinvointi-ja-sivistys/opetus-ja-koulutus/vapaa-sivistystyo (accessed 11 March 2025).

Finnish National Agency for Education. Vapaa sivistystyö. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/vapaa-sivistystyo (in Finnish, English summary available) (accessed 11 March 2025).

Finnish Study Centres. Opiskelu opintokeskuksessa. https://www.opintokeskukset.fi/opintokeskukset/opiskelu/ (in Finnish, English summary available) (accessed 11 March 2025).

Adult education centres. Musiikki. https://kansalaisopistot.fi/kurssit/musiikki/ (in Finnish, English summary available) (accessed 11 March 2025).

Adult education centres. Kirjallisuus ja teatteri. https://kansalaisopistot.fi/kurssit/kirjallisuus-ja-teatteri/ (accessed 11 March 2025).

Adult education centres. Kuvataide ja valokuvaus. https://kansalaisopistot.fi/kurssit/kuvataide-ja-valokuvaus/ (in Finnish, English summary available) (accessed 11 March 2025).

Laki vapaasta sivistystyöstä (632/1998) (Act on Liberal Adult Education, in Finnish). https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/1998/632#chp_1__sec_1v20091765__heading (accessed 11 March 2025).

Ministry of Education and Culture (2019). Vapaan sivistystyön kautta hankitun osaamisen tunnistaminen ja tunnustaminen: Osaamisen tunnistamista ja tunnustamista valmistelevan työryhmän muistio (Identification and recognition of prior learning acquired through liberal adult education: Memorandum of the working group preparing the identification and recognition of prior learning; English summary available). Helsinki: Ministry of Education and Culture. https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/161944/OKM_2019_46.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y.