An institution based work group has come together to establish an approach to create the basic framework for a lifelong learning system.
This project, conducted under the title "A Project to Develop Lifelong Learning in Turkey" will also be establishing the resources in order to develop the legal statute for lifelong learning.
Once the efforts geared towards establishing the Lifelong Learning Strategy and its policies, including the national and local level priorities and application proposals are completed, it is anticipated that a draft in the form of a proposal will be presented to the National Education Ministry.
MEB Lifelong Learning General Manager Mustafa Kemal Biçerli noted that lifelong learning includes all learning activities geared towards developing knowledge, skills and efficiency from a personal, public, social or employment aspect.
Biçerli also expressed that lifelong learning encompasses formal, universal and out-of-school education and that no age, socioeconomic status or education level limits have been established. Biçerli went on to emphasize that
the learning process does not solely pertain to schools and that this is based on the reality that learning continues throughout the individual's life in the community as well as in the political, cultural and entertainment environments.
Biçerli states, "The purpose of lifelong learning is to recognize all forms of education individuals receive in their lives, to evaluate this education and to also establish its validity in EU countries as well as to contribute to employability through evaluating education previously obtained."
Biçerli also noted that the project is being conducted through regional coordination offices and through pilot establishments in 43 provinces including Kayseri, Şanlıurfa and Erzurum and stated that the project's budget is 7.4 million euros and the operating budget is 15 million euros.
Explaining that there are close to 20 specialists, including five international specialists that are working on the project, Biçerli states, "Our Turkish and foreign specialists are serving in a variety of areas including establishing the policy, education, communication as well as in EU Lifelong Learning."
