ABSTRACT
This country case-study attempts to identify the major characteristics of adult education in contemporary Scotland. The background includes a brief account of the Scottish social and cultural context of adult learning, an outline of the Scottish educational system, and an historical sketch of the philosophy and goals of the adult education system and the scope and nature of adult education in Scotland, including the ideas and practice of community education and open learning. Institutional roles in adult education are discussed, with particular reference to the roles of the universities, the local education authorities and voluntary organisations such as the Workers’ Educational Association, and with comments on the growing role of the central institutions. The work of the Scottish Institute of Adult and Continuing Education is described and analysed. The present organisation of the field is discussed, and issues of professionalisation will be considered with reference to recent reports and developments in the training of adult educators. Finally, questions are raised about how open the present system really is to the learning needs of all adults in Scotland; reference will be made here to recent research, including studies of mature students in higher education, educational guidance for adults, and current experiences of community education.
