Education for all movement
Education is considered as a birth right in all developed countries. So is the case in many developing countries too. Unfortunately, many underdeveloped countries and even some developing countries do not have a concrete plan to provide education for all their respective citizens. In some countries, in spite of the existence of education plans, it is not completely implemented for the lack of resources, funds and even logistical reasons. As a means of help to such countries and also as a means of help to their respective governments, the UNESCO launched an ambitious global movement called “Education for all”. The aim of this movement is to eradicate illiteracy, all across the world by the end of 2015. The movement’s vision is to provide basic education for all children, adolescents and adults, with the help of governments, educational institutions and various other agencies.
The importance of education degree and its allied continuing education courses
While pursuing education degree, students will also need to opt for continuous education courses, which can stand them in good stead when they reach employable age. Usually, students consider the completion of a degree is enough for them to secure a good job. The reality is far from this perception because the students are no longer competing at a national level for the available jobs; they are competing with international students for the limited number of jobs that are available. A few decades ago, the importance and relevance of a degree from a reputed institution was not so great when it came to employment. Employers were willing to take a bet with non degree holders but not anymore. Other countries in the world have a far more rigid education systems and the value placed on degree education in these countries have enabled them to produce highly qualified and highly competent workforce of degree educated people.
The benefits of distance education for adult students
Distance education is not a recent phenomenon or development in the realm of education. Any universities and institutions have been offering distance education for many decades. The number of students continuing their education through distance education and its hybrid varieties has only increased in the recent years. Of late, after the onset of global recession, the enrollment numbers for degree and non degree distance education programs have risen exponentially. Knowledge gained through education and knowledge improvement through enhancement courses have become the benchmarks of assessment for most of the employers. People who have not had the opportunity to complete or pursue advanced levels of education are under a serious threat of not being employable n the present times. In spite of real life work experience, these people are getting overtaken by qualified candidates. The best way for such people to overcome their predicament is by opting for distance education programs. There is no dearth in the numbers of institutions, colleges and universities that offer distance education; almost all of them have such programs. People will have to identify the right type of course/degree that matches their existing skill sets and knowledge and enroll themselves for it. They will also need to identify and select the right institution through which they will complete their distance education.
Continuing Education: An important step to increase employability
Continuing education and the systems associated with it have been in existence for many decades ago. From its inception, continuing education has served the purpose of increasing the knowledge of the people who participate in it. It also helped in helping students to broaden their scope of information, understanding and awareness. For the past decade, continuing education has been given far more relevance and importance when it comes to employability of students. Continuing education has transformed itself from a knowledge enhancing mode to a skill evaluation tool for employers. This transformation is justifiable from an employer’s stand point because the traditional education system is no longer a benchmark for skill enhancement or knowledge evaluation tool. At best, the traditional education system only equips the students with basic knowledge about the core skill levels of the respective specializations of the students. It has become a factory supply of like minded and identically skilled employees. There is also no scope or the development of the students which can give them an edge during employment. Continuing education system has filled this void by becoming a valid assessment tool for employers who can base their judgment upon the level of competence that the students have gained.