The aim of the master’s thesis is to examine the educational programme provision of folk high schools in Slovenia. It also aims to determine the extent to which this provision responds to the needs of the local community and takes into account the guidelines of the ReNPIO 2022–2030.
The theoretical part examines purposes, objectives, principles, and benefits of adult education, funding mechanisms, the Resolution on the National Programme of Adult Education in the Republic of Slovenia for the 2022–2030 period (ReNPIO 2022–2030), the role of folk high schools worldwide and in Slovenia, as well as approaches to the planning and analysis of educational programmes. The empirical part presents the structure of educational programmes at selected folk high schools, the continuity of provision and the role of project-based funding, the responsiveness to the needs of local communities, and the alignment of educational programmes with the priority areas of ReNPIO 2022–2030. A mixed-methods research approach was applied. The qualitative document analysis revealed a dominance of non-formal education. However, significant differences were identified among the selected folk high schools regarding content areas, target groups, purposes, organisational forms, and funding sources. The quantitative part of the research, based on a survey conducted among employees of folk high schools, showed that folk high schools largely take into account the needs of local communities. In addition, employees emphasised the strong connection between educational offerings and the priority areas of ReNPIO 2022–2030, particularly the first priority area, which is general non-formal adult education. The findings indicate the diversity of folk high schools and their responsiveness to the needs of local communities, while also highlighting the need for more stable funding mechanisms to enable long-term and more stable planning of educational programme provision.
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