SMART Community Review (SCR) Teacher education in Finland | Page 15

enable them to enter basic or upper secondary
education.
Life-long learning in focus
The Finnish education system has no dead-ends.
Learners can always continue their studies on an
upper level of education, whatever choices they
make in between. The practice of recognition
of prior learning has been developed in order to
avoid unnecessary overlapping of studies.
Finland has a long history of participation and
promotion of adult education. The first Finnish
folk high school started in 1889. Adult education
is very popular, the participation rate is high also
in international terms.
The main objectives of adult
education policy are ensuring
the availability and competence
Adult
of the labour force, providing
education
educational opportunities for
the entire adult population and
has a long
strengthening social cohesion
and strong
and equity. The objectives
should support efforts to
tradition.
extend working life, raise the
employment rate, improve
productivity, implement the
conditions for lifelong learning
and enhance multiculturalism.
Educational institutions organise education
and training intended for adults at all levels of
education. Efforts have been made to make the
provision as flexible as possible in order to enable
adults to study alongside work.
Adult education comprises education and
training leading to a degree or certificate,
liberal adult education and staff-development
and other training provided or purchased by
employers as well as labour market training,
Equity in education  9