Country Note on the Recognition of Non-formal and Informal Learning
Ireland is one of over twenty countries currently participating in an OECD study on the topic of the Recognition of Non-formal and Informal Learning (RNFIL). The study is taking place from 2006 through 2008. As part of the work, a Country Background Report for Ireland was published in August 2007, (click here) Subsequent to this, the OECD conducted a Review Visit to Ireland from 4 to 8 February 2008. During the visit, the OECD team met with representatives of the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as a wide range of awarding bodies, providers, Government agencies and social partners.
The objective of the visit was to examine RPL policy and practices in Ireland with a view to the OECD providing country specific policy recommendations for the future direction of RPL. The OECD team completed a Country Note, below, based on their findings from the Review Visit and the Country Background Report.
The Country Note consists of three sections as follows:
- Thematic Review – the purpose of the thematic review is to advance understanding of stakeholder behaviour and to investigate what is working and what is not working with current RPL practices in Ireland.
- Collaborative Policy Analysis (CPA) – the CPA aims at allowing countries to test an idea on a small-scale, cost-contained, consultative manner. The theme identified for the CPA was transparency of the RPL system in Ireland.
- Recommendations – Key issues to be considered in charting a future direction for RPL are set out under the headings of mainstreaming, targeting groups or sectors, funding and stimulating demand and supply.
