China hailed for progress in adult education

China's progress and commitment in strengthening adult learning against the backdrop of having an aging population has been highlighted in a new global report from UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The fourth UNESCO Global Report on Adult Learning and Education, which assessed global progress in adult learning and education based on data from 159 countries and territories, found China has spent more than 4 percent of its education budget on adult learning and education, which is also known as ALE. The report notes that China is also one of only 13 countries that identify older adults as a target group for education services.

UNESCO said China's success reflects the seriousness with which it is taking the challenges that an aging population presents.

Globally, in 2017, there were 3.5 people aged 65 or older for every 10 people in the labor force. The ratio is expected to rise, to five seniors for every 10 workers by 2030.

The report points out that the change will create pressure, especially in emerging markets, including China and Russia. According to an article in Time magazine, by 2050, 330 million Chinese people will be 65 or older.

The report highlights China's efforts to encourage grassroots action and to decentralize ALE to local and city levels.

"The involvement of public authorities at all levels of government, and increased decision-making for ALE policy planning and implementation at lower levels of government, are also important to facilitate the implementation of ALE policies," the UNESCO report said. "Ultimately, this approach helps to better serve the needs of adults, businesses and stakeholders in the local community."

When China's National Plan for the Development of Elderly Education was introduced in 2016, all provinces and municipalities in the Chinese mainland issued corresponding policies demonstrating that they took the issue of elderly education seriously. These plans and policies have facilitated the comprehensive development of education for elderly people in China, the report noted.

Elderly Chinese people have also benefited from information technology and inter-generational learning. The combined development of healthcare for elderly people and education targeted at them has progressed rapidly, the report noted.

However, the report said more needs to be done globally to achieve the United Nation's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in education.

The report also makes note of the fact that disadvantaged groups in many countries will participate less in ALE.

UNESCO said there is a need to increase national investment in ALE, reduce participation costs, raise awareness of benefits, and improve data collection and monitoring, particularly for disadvantaged groups.