Learner Mobility
There are no national programmes or initiatives supporting mobility of adult learners. Mobility opportunities are offered only by the EU Erasmus+ Programme (2014-2020; 2021-2027) and the Education Programme under the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism. The programmes are administered in Poland by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System.
In Learning mobility projects under the Erasmus+ Programme, adult learners with fewer opportunities following an adult education programme in the sending institution can develop their knowledge, skills and competences during a group or individual mobility period. Short-term mobility opportunities available to adult learners under various other types of Erasmus+ projects are linked to specific objectives of a given project.
The Education Programme (2014-2021; final Call for proposals in 2021; projects lasting up to 2 years) as part of the EEA Financial Mechanism is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The component ‘Institutional cooperation for the improvement of quality and relevance of education’ offers grants for the exchange of experience and good practice and joint initiatives with the donor countries, including seminars, education events and intensive training for learners and staff in adult education and other formal and non-formal education sectors.
There are no specific national regulations on the recognition of mobility periods for adult learners. However, nationally regulated mechanisms are in place for the validation of learning outcomes achieved outside formal education, as part of non-formal or informal learning. For example, adults may take so-called extramural exams (for individuals who take them as ‘externals’) conducted by the Regional Examination Boards. Those who have passed an exam obtain a certificate at the primary or secondary school level and / or a vocational certificate or diploma, depending on the type of exam taken. At the higher education level, HEIs which meet certain requirements laid down by law may validate learning outcomes achieved by learners applying for admission to a first-, second- or long-cycle programme. As a result of the validation process, an HEI may recognise up to 50% of ECTS credits allocated to courses included in a curriculum. The Integrated Qualifications System also comprises various partial qualifications which may be awarded to adults through the validation of learning outcomes.
Other useful information
Education of foreigners
Pursuant to the Law on School Education of 14 December 2016 (as subsequently amended) (Ustawa – Prawo oświatowe z 14 grudnia 2016 r. (z późn. zm.)), nationals of some countries and specific groups of foreigners have access to education in public schools for adults, and can take vocational qualification courses offered by public institutions as part of continuing education in non-school settings, under the same conditions as for Polish nationals, that is on a fee-free basis. They include, for example, nationals of the EU Member States, member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – signatories of the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement and the Swiss Confederation, and members of their families holding a residence or permanent residence permit; and other individuals holding specific types of residence permits or specific status, for example, refugees.
Other foreigners have access to education in schools for adults or continuing education in non-school settings either as holders of a scholarship awarded by the competent body (for example, the Minister responsible for school education, a local government body administering a given type of school or institution, the head of a school or institution) or on a fee-paying basis. In the latter case, the body administering a given school or institution sets the level of fees and can grant full or partial fee waiver.
Teacher and Trainer Mobility
There are no national programmes or projects providing mobility opportunities to adult education teachers or trainers. They can undertake a mobility period under the EU Erasmus+ Programme and the Education Programme of the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism. The two programmes are administered in Poland by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (the website currently available in Polish only).
In Learning mobility projects under the Erasmus+ Programme, teachers, trainers and other adult education staff can develop their skills during a job shadowing period or in a course, or carry out a teaching or training assignment abroad. Short-term mobility opportunities available to staff in various other types of Erasmus+ projects are linked to specific objectives of a given project.
The Education Programme (2014-2021; final Call for proposals in 2021; projects lasting up to 2 years) as part of the EEA Financial Mechanism is funded by Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway. Under the component ‘Professional Development of staff’, staff working in the adult education sector (and other formal and non-formal education sectors) can undertake study visits to the donor countries and participate in intensive training courses run by trainers / experts from these countries. The component ‘Institutional cooperation for the improvement of quality and relevance of education’ supports mobility of staff in various formal and non-formal education sectors, including adult education, related to the development or updating of curricula and the exchange of experience and good practice (for example, seminars, conferences, education events, intensive training).
Teachers working in adult education institutions within the school education system are subject to the same national regulations as school education teachers. The legislation specifies only general in-service training leave entitlements, while not referring directly to international mobility.
Like teachers in schools for children and young people, adult education teachers working in the school education system undergo a performance appraisal. Appraisal takes into consideration, among other things, the teacher’s involvement in professional development activities, including those undertaken abroad. For further information, see Teacher mobility in Chapter 13.1. There are no specific national regulations or recommendations on the recognition of mobility periods or outcomes of a mobility period for adult education teachers or trainers.