“Learning Throughout Life” is a critical paradigm shift in the planning and delivery of education services.  The strategy encapsulates the commitment for every individual to learn throughout their lives for his or her social, economic, political and cultural development.  The strategy also envisions a holistic approach serving the largest number of people, in different flexible formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts accompanied by the full participation of learners in shaping the educational processes. “Learning Throughout Life,” or Lifelong Learning (LLL) has become the new standard in the development of a nation’s education and training policies as it is based on the importance of education within the context of Development and Globalization.

Jamaica has traditionally taken a very proactive approach to the design and delivery of educational services.   Adult Literacy and continuing education has always played a key role in our overall education strategy, however with the advent of globalization and the emergence of the ‘knowledge economy’ characterized by rapid technological, economic, cultural and demographic changes, there is an imperative to broaden these concepts to ensure that the nation meets the emerging needs created by the changes in the nature of work and indeed the nature of life in the twenty-first century.  This Policy seeks to outline the national approach and commitments around implementing strategies in keeping with the “Learning Throughout Life” approach needed to ensure that Jamaica and our citizens become and remain world class citizens in a new world environment.