Peer Learning Activity on Key Competences for Life Long Learning

29 January 2007 to 31 January 2007
Flanders, Belgium (NL)

Peer Learning Cluster or other group

Key Competences

Background

The concept of ‘Learning to Learn’ is a strong feature of the Flanders educational system – both in schools and in teacher training. Two important features of the Flanders' system are: freedom for providers of education to establish and maintain schools - and pedagogical autonomy.

The Flanders PLA focused on ‘Learning to Learn’, which has been defined by the 2006 Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning.

Description

The PLA included an examination of the policy process in relation to cross-curricular objectives in Flanders:

  • how they are developed, formulated and supported;
  • the status of key competences in the curriculum, how stakeholders are involved;
  • what main factors affect their implementation and evaluation-related issues.

Main conclusions:

The Cluster group’s perception of the Flanders educational system is that there is a clear overall national framework for promoting cross-curricular objectives and learning to learn. Effective communication was identified as absolutely critical to developing appropriate teaching methodologies and contexts for learning.

In Flanders, the use of research and evidence for policy improvements is well-organised, as well as supporting innovation at schools.

The role of inspectorate in supporting schools' development was found very interesting. Similarly, an example preparing teacher students to a competences-based approach was appreciated by participants.

Group was also impressed on how school leadership can impact the ethos of a school that in turn helps personalising learning.
Knowledge System for Lifelong Learning