6.4 Validation of non-formal and informal learning
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Arrangements for the validation of non-formal and informal learning
Information and guidance
Quality assurance
Arrangements for the validation of non-formal and informal learning
Law of the Republic of Lithuania on non-formal adult education regulates non-formal education and continuing education of adults, their structure, organization and funding bases. The purpose of the law is to provide legal guarantees to a person to realize his innate right to develop his personality throughout his life, to guarantee the opportunity to acquire knowledge and abilities, to discover new meanings in life, to encourage not only improving professional skills, but also to create meaningful free time, to be an active member of a democratic society. As stated in Law of the Republic of Lithuania on non-formal adult education, education institutions implementing formal education programs: 1 ) can run non-formal adult education programs; 2 ) recognize competences acquired by individuals through non-formal education and self-education in accordance with the procedure established by this law and other legal acts; 3 ) contribute to the quality assurance of non-formal adult education according to competence; 4 ) provides information on the non-formal adult education programs implemented by them, the recognition of competences acquired by individuals through non-formal education and self-education, and advises on these issues.
Competences obtained through informal education can be recognised as part of a completed formal adult education or study programme. The Minister for Education and Science establishes the Recognition Order. The general or special competence acquired by a person through informal education or self-education can be recognized as part of a completed formal education program (except for study programs) or as part of a study program in accordance with the procedure established in the Recognition Order by the Minister of Education and Science. 2 . The general or special competence acquired by a person through informal education or self-education can be recognized and legitimized in accordance with the procedure established by legal acts as the competence required to perform a job or function regulated by law. 3 . A person's general or special competence acquired through informal education or self-education can be recognized and legalized as a qualification that corresponds to a certain level established in the structure of Lithuanian qualifications. Based on the Recognition Order higher education institutions have to set up their own procedures of how non-formal and informal education can be used towards fulfilment of a higher education study programme.
Information and guidance
Lithuanian Non-formal Adult Education Council is an expert advisory institution that considers the main prospects and strategic directions for the development of non-formal adult education and continuing education in Lithuania and provides conclusions and proposals on these issues. The Council of Non-formal Adult Education of Lithuania is composed of representatives of state and municipal institutions, organizations representing the interests of employers and employees, and other organizations representing the interests of society (non-formal adult education and continuing education). The Lithuanian non-formal adult education council consists of 15 persons. The regulations of the Lithuanian non-formal adult education council are approved by the Government, the composition is approved by the Minister of Education and Science.
In Lithuania, a common model for the evaluation and recognition of non-formal and independent learning achievements has not yet been created. Most higher education institutions have set up their own procedures how non-formal and informal education can be used to fulfil their study programmes. For example Mykolas Romeris University provides detailed information on the procedure of assessment of learning outcomes gained through non-formal education and recognition of competences (see Procedure of assessment of learning outcomes gained through adults' non-formal education and recognition of competences).
Quality assurance
In Lithuania, a common model for the evaluation and recognition of non-formal and independent learning achievements has not yet been created. The provider of informal adult education and continuing education and the institution implementing the rights and duties of its owner (meeting of participants) are responsible for the quality of non-formal adult education and continuing education. The quality assurance procedure for improving the quality of non-formal adult education and continuing education, self-evaluation of activities, external evaluation, self-evaluation of participants' progress and achievements, financed from the state and/or municipal budgets, shall be established by the Government after consulting with the Lithuanian Non-formal Adult Education Council. The assessment of non-formal study achievements and recognition of competences is performed in accordance with the higher education study programme and/or is subject by an expert assessor or a group of expert assessors of the faculty/institute of the HE institution. The assessment procedures and quality criteria are prescribed by each higher education institution.