THE DEVELOPMENT AND STATE OF THE ART OF ADULT LEARNING AND EDUCATION National Report of the Republic of Croatia by the Agency for Adult Education Zagreb, June 2008 National Report - Croatia TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Acronyms .......................................................................................................................................5 Comment on the Preparation of the Report .............................................................................................7 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................8 I. General Overview ..............................................................................................................................12 1. Croatia – General Information .........................................................................................................12 1.1. Socio-Economic Context for Adult Education .......................................................................12 2. International Relations in Brief ........................................................................................................14 2.1. European Union ....................................................................................................................14 2.2. NATO ....................................................................................................................................14 2.3. Membership of International Organisations ..........................................................................14 3. Education System............................................................................................................................15 3.1. Preschool Education .............................................................................................................15 3.2. Primary Education.................................................................................................................16 3.3. Secondary Education ............................................................................................................17 3.3.1. External Evaluation .....................................................................................................18 3.3.1.1. State Matura ...............................................................................................18 3.3.1.2. National Exams...........................................................................................18 3.3.1.3. Programme for International Student Assessment – PISA ........................19 3.4. Higher Education...................................................................................................................19 3.5. Adult Education .....................................................................................................................19 3.6. Croatian Qualifications Framework.......................................................................................20 II. Adult Learning and Education in Croatia .......................................................................................22 1. Policy, Legislation and Financing....................................................................................................22 1.1. Policy and Legislative Environment of ALE ..........................................................................22 1.1.1. Policy Documents .......................................................................................................22 1.1.1.1. Strategy for Adult Education.......................................................................22 1.1.2. Legislative Framework................................................................................................23 1.1.2.1. Adult Education Act ....................................................................................24 1.1.1.2. Act on State Subsidy for Education and Training.......................................24 1.1.3. Priority Goals for ALE .................................................................................................25 1.1.4. Organization of ALE within the Government...............................................................26 1.1.4.1. Development of the Adult Education System .............................................26 1.1.4.2. Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.................................................26 1.1.4.3. Adult Education Council .............................................................................27 1.1.4.4. Agency for Adult Education ........................................................................27 1.1.5. Alignment of ALE Policy and Implementation Strategies with Other Goals ...............28 1.1.5.1. Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.................................................28 1.1.5.1.1. Drug Addicts Resocialization Project .......................................29 1.1.5.2. Ministry of the Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity..30 1.1.5.2.1. War Veterans ...........................................................................30 1.1.5.2.2. Adults with Disabilities..............................................................30 1.1.5.2.3. Victims of Family Violence .......................................................30 1.1.5.2.4. Young Adults............................................................................31 1.1.5.3. Ministry of Tourism .....................................................................................31 1.1.5.4. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development .........................31 1.1.5.5. Ministry of Defence.....................................................................................31 1.1.5.6. Ministry of Justice, Judicial Academy.........................................................31 1.1.5.7. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.........................................................32 1.1.5.8. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.................................32 1.1.5.8.1. Diplomatic Academy ................................................................32 1.1.5.8.2. Directorate for Information and Education, Department for Education about European Integration.....................................32 1.1.5.9. Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship ............................33 1.1.5.9.1. Lifelong Entrepreneurial Learning: Education for Entrepreneurship Project..........................................................33 2 National Report - Croatia 1.1.5.9.2. Regional Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning .........................34 1.1.5.10. Central State Office for Administration .....................................................34 1.1.5.11. Agency for Vocational Education and Training ........................................35 1.1.5.12. Education and Teacher Training Agency .................................................35 1.1.5.13. Croatian Employment Service ..................................................................36 1.1.5.14. National Foundation for Civil Society Development .................................38 1.1.5.15. Croatian Chamber of Economy ................................................................38 1.1.5.16. Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts ..................................................39 1.1.5.17. Croatian Employers’ Association..............................................................39 1.1.6. Development Challenges and Strategies in Relation to ALE .....................................40 1.1.6.1. Croatia in the 21st Century: White Paper on Croatian Education ..............40 1.1.6.2. Declaration on Knowledge; Croatia Based on Knowledge and the Application of Knowledge ............................................................................40 1.1.6.3. 55 Recommendations for the Growth of Croatian Competitiveness ..........41 1.1.6.4. Education Sector Development Plan 2005-2010 .......................................41 1.1.6.5. Strategic Development Framework 2006-2013..........................................42 1.2. Financing of ALE...................................................................................................................44 1.2.1. Public Investment in ALE............................................................................................44 1.2.1.1. State Budget ...............................................................................................44 1.2.1.1.1. Agency for Adult Education......................................................44 1.2.1.1.2. For a Literate Croatia: The Way to a Desirable Future............44 1.2.1.1.3. Ministry of the Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity................................................45 1.2.1.1.3.1. War Veterans ...................................................................45 1.2.1.1.3.2. Adults with Disabilities .....................................................45 1.2.1.1.3.3. Victims of Family Violence ...............................................45 1.2.1.1.3.4. Young Adults....................................................................45 1.2.1.1.4. Ministry of Tourism...................................................................46 1.2.1.1.5. In-service Training and Education of Civil Servants ................46 1.2.1.2. Decentralized/Local Budget........................................................................47 1.2.1.2.1. County of Primorje-Gorski Kotar ..............................................47