In accordance with the Law on Adult Education, adult education is part of a single education system of Montenegro.
Adults start education, training or learning by their own choice, so as to upgrade their knowledge, skills and competences, or to acquire adequate qualifications.
Adult education in Montenegro includes:
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achieving that at least primary education and the first qualification is acquired by all citizens
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raising the level of education, i.e. functional literacy of citizens
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retraining, additional training and professional training of the unemployed and the employed for the labour market
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allowing for education and the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competences that match the individuals’ abilities and age
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continuous professional development
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involving the most vulnerable groups of the population through various forms of education and learning for the purpose of their integration
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investing in human resource development
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promoting the importance of lifelong learning
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raising the level of knowledge, skills and competences in the field of civil democracy and environmental protection.
Types of adult learning and education include:
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formal education
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non-formal education, i.e. learning
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informal learning
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self-directed learning.
Formal education is an organized process of education that is carried out according to a publicly valid educational program or part of that program (module, study unit, etc.), based on which a level of education is acquired, i.e. one or more professional qualifications, in accordance with the Law on adult education and the laws regulating the corresponding fields of education.
Informal education is an organized and structured process of acquiring knowledge, skills and competencies needed for life and work, which lead to the improvement of personal and professional skills.
Informal learning is a process of acquiring knowledge, skills and competences from everyday experiences and other educational influences that takes place without a specific intention and organized goal.
Self-education represents a higher level of self-development that is based on having the ability and skills for an individual to organize the learning process completely independently, outside of institutions and without the help of others.
In Montenegro, adult education is regulated by the following laws:
Strategic documents in the area of adult education include:
Strategy for Lifelong Entrepreneurship Learning 2020-2024
National Strategy for Employment 2021-2025
An adult learner does not bear the costs of acquiring primary education. For programmes financed from public revenues (programmes of retraining, additional training, specialization, professional development, i.e. acquisition of key skills, etc.), which are covered by the annual education plan, adults do not bear the costs of education. If a learner concludes an individual contract with an educational provider, then he/she bears the costs of education.
Besides the state budget and personal funds, adults can also be financed by: employers, non-governmental organizations, international donors, etc.
EPALE (Electronic Platform for Adult Education in Europe) has existed since 2015, while it has been active in Montenegro since 2016. Until 2021, the Canter for Vocational Education was the National Support Service in Montenegro and from 2021 the Ministry of Education is the National Support Service. EPALE has over 164,000 users, out of which 557 are in Montenegro. The EPALE cycle 2025-2026, which is being implemented, is dedicated to the promotion of adult education and the improvement of green skills. In addition to the promotion of the EPALE community, the project includes the creation of a teacher education program for green skills aimed at strengthening the environmental and digital awareness of adults, ie employees in schools.