Educational Alternatives, Volume 18, 2020

Abstract: Completion of one’s education in adult age is especially problematic for those who have previously only achieved little education and competence. There are several reasons why adults participate in lifelong education in such small numbers. The paper aims to identify and analyse the barriers that prevent adults with no or only primary education in the Slovak school system from achieving education, based on secondary analysis of the legislation and policies influencing second chance education at primary and secondary vocational schools in the Slovak Republic. The authors focus on the institutional barriers to second chance education at primary and secondary vocational schools that are analysed in the context of socio-cultural barriers to education of adults with little education and basic competences. As the outcome of the secondary analysis of the legislation and documents related to second chance education of adults with no or only primary education, such barriers were identified as the creation of cheap workforce, insufficient awareness, funding, and school leavers who cannot find employment.