By lifelong learning such as education is meant, which enables participants to gain knowledge, complete, deepen, renew knowledge, qualification a professional competence to perform specialized activities.
The conditions for lifelong learning are stated in Act No. 111/1998 Sb. regarding universities and changes and completion of other acts (Act of universities). Graduates of medical faculties, general practitioners and dentists have lifelong learning governed by their basic obligations. The Czech Medical Chamber provides control regularly; doctors must be obligatory its members.
Details regarding further education for the doctors can be found on www.ipvz.cz.
Specific forms of education also exist for people of higher age in order to make their life better even when pensioners.
Any activity gives the life a sense and fulfillment, the feeling of being useful, beneficial, its aim is not to be isolated and make possible to spend quality old age.
The right to have education belongs to basic human rights, must be supported no matter the age, qualification, profession and other factors. The man can educate himself in any age, cope with looses and absences and live fully. Of course all activities provided in higher age are connected to good health as well as accessibility of education. The education forms can be different and serve to develop the individuality, fulfill leisure time, maintain and make new contacts not only within the same age society but also among other generations. Most of students state that the reason for further education is to gain new information. Most of these students are people who did not have the opportunity to study when being young. Among others they have to fill up free time. They meet new friends. The other aspect is also important - they are looking forward to it, they have to prepare for it and they want to look good. What is interesting is the fact that women are more often looking for lifelong learning.
Universities organize so called University of the 3rd age (U3V) according to west countries as a part of lifelong learning. The participants have status of special student. Their origin is in France in 70s. There is enormous interest in the study at universities and often it overreaches a capacity and a personal ability of the universities.
Generally it is provided in integrated courses of lectures and divided to two or three cycles. The feedback is guaranteed and the participants´ wishes are considered as for subjects. Except that there are Academies of the 3rd age established extending educational activities spectra or other courses with specific offers. Methodology and selection of courses of lectures must take into an account the ability, interests and structure of participants. It is aimed to priority problems and its goal is not to prepare for profession, professional and qualification development but individuality development.Except the university programmes there are also extra-university programmes at almost all universities including private schools and other institutions. Most of U3V is member of Association of Universities of the 3rd age in the Czech Republic (www.asociaceU3V.cz) with the list of members.
Detailed programmes can be found on websites of all schools. Faculty of Medicine of university in Plzen organizes U3V for 21 years. The main theme of courses is "The man in health and sickness" - themes are usually medical. Except the U3V there Academy of the 3rd age exists and alumni establish Alumni Club. Particular courses and seminars can be found on www.lfp.cuni.cz. We do not take into account the previous education when accepting applicants for the study. The fee to entry U3V is 150 CZK for two semesters. The study is finished by the final test and anonymous evaluation of education process and its organization. The participants obtain certificate. To entry the A3V and Alumni Club is free of charge. Excpt the courses we organize visits of medical and social facilities, thematic trips, discussions with the police, training of massage techniques, PC courses etc.
As said above spectra of opportunities to develop different activities even when older can be wide and varied. There is an interest of particular group of seniors considered while offering programmes. The interest and support of seniors is as important as interest of society and voluntary subjects.
What is also important is awareness and publicity in media and community through Senior association, Handicapped association, social and cultural workers of public offices and to point out the meaning of seniors' activity.
