A ‘right to learn’ framework will also require further investments in new and existing innovative programs. Governments have authority over the delivery of educational services in a wide range of institutions. Many educational institutions have already adopted flexible, holistic approaches to meeting the needs of adult learners. However there is very little evidence on what works specifically for adult learners. One practice that certainly needs more research is the assessment and recognition of prior learning (PLAR), a potentially important tool for encouraging the participation of adult learners.
Provincial adult learning environments tend to be extremely complex. Provincial governments need to ensure that there is an appropriate entity to co-ordinate the further development and implementation of an adult education policy framework. This entity would be responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of government-funded adult education programs and services and providing information to support management planning and decision making. The significant efforts made by some provinces (in Nova Scotia and Alberta, for example) should be closely watched.
At a minimum, governments should ensure that potential learners have the information they need to make informed decisions about their learning options: easy-to-digest information about the range of available learning options; step-by-step guides on how to access the learning opportunity that is best for them; and enough information about the costs and benefits of skills upgrading to make an informed decision in their best interest. While the Internet is an important support for information, we should acknowledge that it may not be the most appropriate one for many less-educated individuals who may have limited access or may not have the necessary technical skills to navigate. Face-to-face contacts with welltrained and equipped skills development counsellors are likely essential.
More work is required to create the kind of well-defined learner pathways that spell out the shortest and most effective routes to a wide range of economic, social and personal goals.