Weiterbildung – kein Benachteiligtenprogramm. Verteilungsprinzipien in der öffentlichen Weiterbildungsfinanzierung 1949–2010

Publically funded adult education has rarely contributed to the increase of educational equality. Often enough, it has been beneficial to those who had already enjoyed their share of education and employment. The author reflects on the German post-war history of continuing education and identifies several cycles of financial distribution. The initial focus of adult education was on educationally ambitious citizens. Based on a socio-political motivation, the learning of employees became increasingly important during the ”realist change”. Support by the employment agency is presented against the background of an education-economical utility calculus. The fact that no federal framework law on continuing education was able to prevail, is considered to be a final waiver with regard to the equality issue.