5.15 If a learning culture for all is to be achieved, responsibility for its development will need to rest with all departments of Government. Whilst the Department for Education and Employment should properly be the main host and champion of lifelong learning, other departments of state should develop their own strategies and targets for the creation of a learning culture in this country and in its relationship with countries overseas. Government as a whole should map out a clear strategy for lifelong learning, determine its priorities, publicly announce its commitment and endorse all measures designed to promote lifelong learning.

5.16 Government's own policies and practice should themselves be scrutinised to ensure the maximum possible support for its strategy for lifelong learning and to ensure that they do not themselves constitute barriers and disincentives to learn. Government should also be prepared to use the whole panoply of its powers, as both carrots and sticks, to secure the development of a learning culture for all, including funding and resource allocation, legislation and statutory intervention, according to their likely effectiveness in furthering its strategy.

Previous Core Point

Next Core Point

Return to Part Three