haridusteed

Haridusteed is a term used in Estonian education policy and public discourse to describe the network of education opportunities and the pathways learners may take to gain knowledge, skills, and qualifications. The word combines haridus (education) and teed (roads or routes), signaling that education is not a single linear track but a set of routes that can diverge and converge over a person’s life.

In practice, haridusteed encompasses formal education at all levels—from basic schooling and secondary education to vocational education and training (VET) and higher education—as well as non-formal and informal learning that leads to recognized qualifications. A key feature is the emphasis on flexibility and progression: models that allow switching between tracks, combining modules from different providers, and accumulating credits that can be transferred or counted toward a diploma or degree. Recognition of prior learning and modular or competency-based elements are often highlighted as ways to accelerate or diversify pathways, especially for adults returning to study.

Purpose and use: the concept guides policy discussions, curriculum design, and guidance services by focusing on learner-centered progression, lifelong learning, and equitable access. It helps students, job seekers, and workers navigate opportunities and plan transitions between education and work.

See also: lifelong learning, credit transfer, vocational education and training, Estonian education system.