Costs and benefits of validation of non-formal and informal learning

Peer Learning Cluster or other group

Background

The PLA hosted jointly by the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research was the third one (after the Brussels and Paris PLAs) on the theme of validation of non-formal and informal learning.

Complementarily with the outcomes of the previous discussions on quality assurance of validation of NFIL (non-formal and informal learning) and systems for validation of NFIL respectively, the aim of this PLA was to explore the issue of costs and benefits for validating NFIL.

Three main questions were discussed:

• The efficiency of validation: what are the main costs and how can they be reduced?
• The benefits of validation: how can they be made visible and quantified?
• Long-term sustainability of validation: what are the political and economic preconditions?

Description

Key messages:

The PLA was not aimed to produce advice or guidance (about e.g. what costs should be minimised, what benefits have to be delivered, etc.). It rather attempted to stimulate exchanges and discussions on the topic of costs and benefits in view of stimulating reflection on sustainability of validation approaches.

Its primary message was that there are clear gaps in evidence concerning costs and benefits of validation, both qualitative and quantitative evidence that might be gained from monitoring, surveys and researching through projects.

• While the costs of validation may seem important these should be considered in a broader perspective of other alternatives;
• The benefits of validation need to be considered more broadly than just the award of a qualification or identification of individual’s knowledge, skills and competence;
• Clarification of costs and benefits should be a tool to support design and implementation of sustainable approaches;
• A better understanding of costs and benefits should clarify strategic choices for cases where public investment in validation is best utilised.