Bildung and Twenty-First Century Competences: In Need of Mutual Recognition?

Abstract

Internationally, curriculum policy is often shaped through either content-based or competence-based curriculum approaches. Considering these two framings of educational policy discourse and curriculum policy making, this chapter compares and contrasts Bildung and twenty-first century competences as outcome(s) of education by examining the latest OECD and European Union (EU) education frameworks and visions and the latest curriculum reform agendas in the national contexts of Norway and Kosovo. The chapter relies on qualitative document analysis methodologically, and it is theoretically framed by non-affirmative education theory, critical-constructive didaktik and curriculum ideologies. Through a comparative reading of aims of education promoted by the OECD, the EU, Norway, and Kosovo frameworks, it is found that the OECD is recalibrating the education goals towards individual and collective well-being, the EU maintains the focus on mastery of key competences for lifelong learning, Norway promotes its dual mission of schooling towards education and Bildung, and Kosovo aims at mastery of key competences introduced in the latest curriculum reform. It is concluded that a Bildung-oriented curriculum policy could provide for a more holistic view of the individual and human development as it gives more agency to the individuals to shape their lives in their own terms and resume responsibility accordingly.