ABSTRACT
Summary: For a long time, little consideration was given in West Germany to a cause for which the Volkshochschulen had been fighting for decades: the integration of adult aducation into the general system of education, on an equal basis with the so-called traditional sectors of school, university and vocational training.
In 1966, when the Deutscher Bildungsrat was instituted by the President of the Federal Republic, a new initiative was taken. A so-called Federal-Lander-Board (Bund-Länder-Kommission) on educational planning, created in parallel to the Educational Council, was to take up the suggestions of the Council, carry out concrete planning and implement it nationally, in the Lander and municipalities. The leading idea was the concept of ‘lifelong learning’ and the provision of equal educational opportunity for all. The plan for the structure was ready in 1970. It argues for the establishment of institutionalized continuing education as an educational domain complementary to compulsory schooling. Continuing education includes further vocational training, re-training and adult education.
Apart from the theoretical ideas, discussions on educational organization and structure were held in the field of continuing education itself, particularly at the level of the Lander which are competent authorities according to the constitution. The outcome is a network of legislation for continuing education, out-of-school youth education and professional training, representing a first step in the right direction and supported by increased resources and a greater planning capacity.
The chapter concentrates on the main sector of continuing education in the Federal Republic, the Volkshochschulen. It describes their position, functions, programmes and organizational requirements, and ends by considering future possibilities. Many traditions will have to be abolished. Continuing education will have to develop completely new forms independent of existing patterns. Controversies over responsibility, frequently of a political-ideological nature will have to be resolved. Educational provision will have to be re-distributed among the different sectors. Only then will the continuing education institutions take their rightful place beside school, university and vocational training.
