Abstract:

Lifelong education should be provided in the Education Code. The specific pathway for lifelong education into the Education Code can be analyzed from the perspective of legal dogmatics, employing methods of conceptual interpretation and systemic positioning. Compared with the concept of “lifelong learning”, the concept of “lifelong education” aligns with China’s existing educational legislation while also corresponding to its normative focus. In terms of specific connotation, the concept of lifelong education encompasses both an ideational dimension and a systemic dimension. On the ideational dimension, lifelong education should be established as one of the fundamental principles in the Education Code, guiding the structural arrangement of the specific provisions at a macro level and informing the formulation of specific regulations at a micro level. On the systemic dimension, lifelong education should be provided as an independent section within the Education Code at a meso level, stipulating its basic types, contents, and norms in connection with the national education system.

Key words: Education Code, lifelong education, continuing education, legal dogmatics