According to national definition (see definitions in Education Law), adult education is a multifaceted process ensuring the development of personality and fostering ability to compete in the labour market. Adult education is a part of lifelong learning process as defined in the national education policy and specified by social and economic requirements.

Several targets for lifelong learning, including adult education, are defined by the Guidelines for Education Development 2015 – 2020 passed by the Cabinet of Ministers (2014):

• To ensure accessibility of adult education to all people in Latvia regardless of their age, sex, previous education, ethnicity, social background;
• To create qualitative education offer for adults providing sustainable competences necessary for work, civic participation and personal growth.  

By 2020 participation rate in adult education should increase to 15% from 7% in 2012 as planned in the Action Plan for 2016 – 2020 Development of adult education provision and its governance model supported by finances from European Structural Foundation. Vocational education will become a strategic priority in the provision of adult education.

Ministry of Education and Science has developed a governance model for adult education which aims at transparent and co-ordinated actions of all stakeholders involved in adult education. Development of legislative acts and efficient management of resources available is stipulated for the implementation of the new adult education governance model.

To eliminate the existing fragmentation of current adult education the proposed governance model establishes division of functions, exchange of information and regular communication among involved stakeholders.