ABSTRACT
A lifelong learning ethos is recognised as essential for social and economic survival in an increasingly complex and changing society. In the learning society education will not end at 16 or in the early 20s. Individuals of all ages will be constantly engaged in learning processes both informally and through formal structured learning. In his report on higher education, Dearing (1997) envisaged increasing participation by adults from sectors of society that traditionally have been under-represented in higher education.
