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TRADITIONS AND CHALLENGES OF LIFELONG LEARNING IN POLAND (STUDENT POINT OF VIEW)
E. Padechowicz
Lifelong learning is a continuous process of improving qualifications in general and professional aspects. This is the principle of the modern education system, which says that learning continues through whole life of a person, and includes renewing, expanding and deepening its general and professional qualifications. Towards the rapid changes of modern world, and especially against the pace of scientific and technical progress, education acquired in the school system becomes obsolete. It is necessary to continue learning through whole life in forms of organizations that are suitable for given profession, that is, which allow the renovation and expansion of general and vocational qualifications. The concept of lifelong learning promoted by UNESCO, undermines the old idea of division of human life for a period of preparation for life through education, work period and the period of adult participation in society, simultaneously it combines tasks of school education (graduate) with the tasks of education out of school (postgraduate). For these reasons, this concept exerts an effect on the modern school system, especially on objectives, content, methods and organization of school work. The important role of non-school education is determined by a few-month courses, run by experts. Next to courses, tasks of lifelong education can be realized by education centres for
adults, vocational centres, studies for employees, postgraduates, common universities, also various forms of individual self-education.
Personally, I encountered the concept of lifelong learning for the first time at studies. I did not realize that it is scientifically known by this name. According to my own observations, I conclude that lifelong learning has many different
forms and a wide range of offers. Aside from institutions that organize continuous education, there is also self-education, which in my opinion is most important part in this process.
Self-education is a process of achieving education through activities, which objectives, content and conditions are set by person oneself. Selfeducation reaches an optimal level when is transformed into a constant necessity of persons life. The process of self-education in pure form is rare, but is often associated with work in school. The concept of self education is connected with the concept of self learning, that means acquiring of vocational education or independent acquiring of knowledge. Lifelong learning began to develop in the 60s of the twentieth century and has become a concept that increasingly determines the direction of education and direction of its development. It is not treated as a new idea, because old concepts of continual learning and improving skills are retrieved. Precursors of this idea were the ancient philosophers, who believed that is possible and necessary to acquire and improve knowledge and improve personal values at the same. It is fair that these views referred not only to public concern, but also to "ordinary people".
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Chinese philosopher, pointed to the need to continuous improvement of own skills and deepening knowledge. Discovering yourself, learning about yourself is part of our humanity. So in my opinion a man can not be fulfilled, if we won‘t seek knowledge, both about life and about himself. One of our necessities of life is the need for the improvement and so lifelong learning gives us such an opportunity.
Hippocrates paid special attention to the education of physicians. In my opinion, this view is entirely valid, because medicine is continuously progressing part of science, there are invented new ways of treatment and,
therefore, physicians also must demonstrate the progress of their knowledge and skills. They are the "ticket" to elimination of disease and suffering from our life. Seneca proclaimed the view that no age is too late for learning. Although this view has been stated many years ago, it is still valid in today's world.
The tradition of continuous education, as I already mentioned, has origins in ancient times, but more detailed knowledge of these old concepts show the diversity and wide range of approaches and problems in terms of content and subject matter. Speaking about the traditions of education, I should refer to the times of Renaissance, when it was discussed about the needs and opportunities of after-school learning. It was discussed about the need for continuous improvement and development of man, even after leaving school and the academy. I think it is very important. A man who graduated should still improve ones life experience, knowledge, we build not only on the basis of knowledge acquired at school, college, but especially beyond it.
Educator Marycjusz Simon in his book "O szkotach czyli akademiach" said that : „at any age should not be ashamed of what you do not know, because the passion for science and dealing with it is not confined to school days, but ends up with life, better learn late than never'. I think this statement fits perfectly into the concept of life-long learning. Life is the only science, without science we would be internally empty, we would stop at the stage of school. Working after school would be monotony, in every day life we would repeat the same process, at which we do not learn anything new, and indeed in some way we would take a step back! The people with which we deal are also important, because we learn something new from them every day. For me, often, when someone tells me about something, and uses complex words, I do not pretend that i understood everything, but I would ask about the details, and I would expect an explanation.
In the educational literature you can find many publications that relate to education of adults. However, the pedagogical studies are evolving, so many notions change their meanings. Beginning of the XXI century tends to re-evaluation of existing concepts and giving them a wider meaning.
Lifelong education has several goals, the most important of them are: (1) facilitate the understanding of contemporary problems, in which the media often help us, especially the internet and television. Watching ambitious programs makes us more aware. But why such programs are broadcasted at a late hours? Most of us, after a day of hard work, go to sleep missing these valuable programs. They show ways how to develop yourself, and at the same time they place obstacles to stop you. I definitely do not like this; (2) develop a conscious respect to the surrounding environment, this goal is in line with my
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expectations and I think it is realized, because the greater knowledge results with greater awareness and expectations of the nearest environment; (3) developing attitudes of respect for cultural and moral diversity. Through lifelong education we acquire knowledge about other cultures and then it is not surprising that, for example in West Africa, a woman's head is usually covered with, cloth wrap. Europeans must think why these women torment themselves, but it turns out that the more important woman is in the tribe, the more impressive headcovering is. Such knowledge is not being taught in school, we have to gain it ourselves. When we will get it, we can talk about respecting other cultures, rather than directing the stereotypes or malicious comments; (4) developing the skill of organizing free time. How many times have I heard people saying "I’m bored", while a wise man does not get bored. He always finds a creative job. Education gives the opportunity to develop interests and to organize free time. You only need to want it and know what you want; (5) develop the ability to use various sources of knowledge, it is important to know more than one method of acquiring knowledge. It may be through contacting people, exchanging of ideas, but also information from the mass media. Lifelong education gives this possibility and therefore in this matter meets my expectations; (6) develop learning skills and selfeducation. These skills should be developed as soon as possible, at the stage of primary education.
Lifelong education can also be seen as one element of the prevention of unemployment, because thanks to the constant acquisition of knowledge and skills we have a chance to outbreak our potential abilities on the labor market, different point of view at the surrounding world and changing attitudes and expectations, and also push us towards self-employment. The interest of adults in education on high school level and above, confirms the potential of individuals in the labour market. I think it is very necessary, especially when some people are not aware of their capabilities and skills.
In the development of lifelong education, forms of education for people of "third age", that is pensioners, are very important. I think it's good that this aspect found its place in contents of lifelong learning. With help from universities of the Third Age, old people have the opportunity
to pursue their plans and develop their interest. Good thing that country does not marginalize the elderly, but allow them to further development.
Considering the matter of lifelong education, I should mention remote learning. I think this is an excellent solution that meets my expectations. This is perfect especially for people who work and for disabled people. However, there is an obstacle, since one of the important problems arising in the remote education system is a solitude of a participant, which can lead to loss of motivation. That is why, consultation of students groups with teachers, are so important, at least in the initial stage of education. The progress of knowledge forces to
intellectual effort and to improve professional and social skills, to keep pace with the process of human development. Educated parents are more reliable partners to converse with their children, because they usually, have a suitable pedagogical knowledge resources, and are characterized by the so-called educational awareness.
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It is important that education has become a strategy of social and cultural development and the main form of multiple issues alignment of youth education by improving the skills of professional and comprehensive development of competencies. In schools for adults in Japan there are classes in physical education and arts. There is no such a thing in Poland. It’s a pity because introducing such lessons would give more comprehensive and multilateral character to lifelong education system. Perhaps some might discover their artistic talent. These lessons are always being underrated, unnecessary, but than thanks to art we appreciate and experience the world’s beauty.
Lifelong education requires great self-control and discipline, which must be acquired by young people in schools. It is about time for everyone in the world to understand that lifelong education is the future of education, and our Polish society is slowly becoming a society of learners.
There is no age when learning is not possible and useful. It is always useful, one aspect of knowledge, some issue involves another. I would compare it to ladder rungs: the next new idea is another rung. We climb up these ladders all our life, to find ourselves as high as possible, and to skilfully guide our life education to never fall from this ladder.
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The work written under the direction of Ewa Kula PhD
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