Abstract
Recently, there have been many researches, tentative projects, and new policies related to life-long education throughout the world. Most of these attempts, however, have not reached an integrated and systematic set of theories which can bring about realistic educational reforms. This current situation requires the construction of basic theories and concrete strategies that will provide a system which promotes life-long learning based on securing an individual's right to learning. In this paper, the author tries to review existing theories of educational organizations and reconstruct their paradigm. The focus of this paper is on paradigm shift from "system for education" to "system for learning". The section headings of the paper are as follows: 1. From the System for Education to the System for Learning 2. Tasks Involved in Constructing the Theory on the System for Life-long Learning (1) beyond structural analysis on educational organizations (2) social system and life-long learning (3) factors that promote the system for life-long learning 3. Formulation of the Theory on the System for Life-long Learning (1) elements of the theory -forms and meanings of the formula: education=learning (2) review of existing theories on the educational organizations To conclude, the author points out a) the necessity to expand the scope of the objects of educational research to include such topics as latent function of education, non-intentional education, social and cultural background of education, etc, and b) the need to establish the research viewpoint which examines the security of the right of every individual, who is the subjective figure in learning, to learn throughout his/her life time.
