This paper describes the concept of of long learning and its development through the second half of the twentieth century The meanings are given of other related concepts, such as continuing education, permanent education and recurrent education. Specific forms of lifelong learning, through which the concept of lifelong learning is realised, are presented separately. These are: formal education, non-formal education, informal education and experiential learning. The paper shows the main conceptual implications of lifelong learning on the change in understanding of education as schooling and the traditional understanding of education as something intended only for children and young people. Finally, the paper indicates the quantitative and qualitative changes in primary and secondary schooling that have the function of realising the concept of lifelong learning.
