COMPARISON OF THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF LEARNERS AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF THE THIRD AGE IN UKRAINE AND POLAND

Abstract

The author presents the results of surveys of elderly people conducted in Ukraine and Poland. Among the urgent problems that concern Ukrainian elderly people are: health, loneliness, lack of work that would bring satisfaction, the loss of loved ones, the unsettled life of their children, as well as the political and economic situation in the country. Educational needs were not raised in these studies. In Poland, surveys of the learners at the Universities of the Third Age (U3As) are often conducted. Most respondents perceive old age as another stage of life that can be used for their development rather than a period of illness and loneliness. The researchers were interested in motivation of elderly people to studying at U3A. The prevailing responses included the desire to expand their knowledge and intensify intellectual development, maintain relationships with people of the same age group, be physically fit, have fun, fulfill their youthful dream of education etc. Most respondents indicated the relationship between studying at the U3A and improving the quality of life. The presented results of the Polish research, in contrast to the Ukrainian one, clearly confirm the positive impact of U3A on the formation of the elderly’s quality of life. Positive feedback testifies about active and qualitative aging of the people, for whom activity, optimism and openness to others are very important issues. The author conducted her own survey on the educational needs of the elderly in Ukraine. It has been found out that 65% of elderly people have not heard about the existence of U3As in Ukraine. Only 47% of respondents want to study, while 53 % do not have this desire for various reasons. This necessitates some measures to promote and extend the activities of U3As in Ukraine.