The Lifelong education

Abstract

After briefly mentioning the origin of this movement, the author defines continuing education, stating the differences with other concepts such as adult education, recicling courses, leisure society. Continuing education has nothing to do with a generalization of school. It is an anthropological revision, not a methodological issue. Continuing education does not mean more education, it means different education; to educate throughout the whole life span taking into consideration all the human capabilities. In order to define more precisely the concept of continuing education, the relationships between the latter and society are also referred to in this article. It is held that unless society undergoes a change towards democracy, continuing education will not contribute to progress but rather play an ideological role. Continuing education should train the capacity for constant social criticism. The author points out the danger that lies in a continuing education that is (omnicomprehensive) of the human being, which could become a tool for cultural totalitarianism in the hands of the established political and economic powers. Finally, the future possibilities of this educational approach are considered, pointing out some strategies in order to reach the model with minimum risks. The author adds that continuing education makes man a nomad; but the question is, a nomad headed for where?.