The importance of education cannot be ignored in shaping the future of the individual and bringing developments in the society at large. However, most people tend to think of education only in terms of the educations we get within the class rooms. But education is not only about the class room learning and the accompanying diplomas and certificates. A significant amount of the educations that we receive comes from the learning we get outside the class room. The different ways in which a person receives education can be classified as:
Formal Education
Formal education refers to the knowledge acquired from the formal institutions such as schools, colleges or other such institutions where the students receive knowledge in a planned and systematic way. The teacher teaches the students based on the curriculum within a time period after which the students are assessed and given certificates, diplomas etc. During the period of learning the teachers and students are bound by the rules and regulations of the institutions.
It is important for a person to have some formal education as it gives him the basic theoretical and practical knowledge. Moreover it is within the classroom that a student understands where his real interest and talents lie. It contributes in the overall personality developments of the students by developing the moral values, physical health and various other attributes which will help them lead a harmonious life in future. One very significant benefit of formal education is the fact that the certificates and the diplomas given after the end of the course increase the scope of future employment.
Informal Education
It is the type of educations which are not planned but the person learns something by observing the behavior, mannerism and habit etc of the people around him. The person does not really make an effort to learn but unconsciously pick it up from his or her daily existence. Informal education includes the learning we get by listening to radio, watching television, discussing with friends and colleagues, visiting museum etc. Most of the knowledge we have about our culture and traditions is from the informal education we get from our family and community.
The learning from informal education can be both positive and negative as we often pick up bad habits and attitude from when we are in bad company. Similarly in good company we too learn and do something good to others.
Non-Formal Education
It is the education given to a person outside the formal classroom. However it differs from informal in the sense that it is a planned learning. It is given to a group of persons with similar needs. Being need based it is more flexible in the content, procedure or even duration of the course. Unlike the formal education, here the person undergoing education does seek it voluntary, so participates actively in learning. Non formal education helps a person in his personal and professional growth by developing certain values and skills such as the soft skills needed in dealing with others, skills required to do a job etc
Significance of Non formal education in India
Though yet to become popular in India, various non formal educational programs are conducted at different levels to bring the socio economic changes. Such programs are mostly conducted with one of the following objectives:
- Literacy programs
- Imparting skills for income generation activities
- Work based Skill enhancement programs
- Awareness programs
Literacy programs
A society can fully develop only when all its citizens are educated. However, in India there are still a large number of people who are illiterates. Majority of these people are working adults who don’t have the time or inclinations to attend formal educations, so remain illiterate. So educational programs are taken up for them by different agencies at a time and place which is convenient for all the participants. An example may be of night school programs. Non formal educational programs are also conducted for other groups like the school drop outs, village women, people living in remote regions where proper education cannot be accessed etc.
Imparting skills for income generation activities
In order to deal with the problems of ever increasing unemployment, various governmental and nongovernmental agencies impart trainings on different activities that could generate income. Such activities are generally low cost and relevant to the local context. For instance, trainings on vermiculture, bee keeping, silk worm rearing, pickle and papad making, carpentry, handlooms and handicrafts etc. The training provides the participants with a potential source of livelihood. In most cases, the Government also provides loans to start the activities.
Work based Skill enhancement programs
Often a person needs additional knowledge and skills to increases the work productivity. An organization often takes the help of experts to provide some sort of refresher and skill enhancement programs to the employee. For instance, programs to develop soft skills like inter personal relationship, team spirit, leadership and organizational skill, effective communications etc. Work based skill enhancement programs can also be taken up at village level to increase the productions from farming, fishery, cattle rearing etc.
For instance, still now many farmers in different parts of India practice traditional method of farming which have low productivity. So, many NGOs and state agencies have taken up training programs for farmers where they promote the modern method of farming by discussing the variety of seeds, the best time to apply fertilizers for a particular variety of crops, the amount of fertilizers to be added, the types of crops that can be grown in that region, the risk and benefits of the crops etc. Such trainings help the farmers to reduce the expenditure while increasing the productions.
Awareness programs
Another important application of non formal education is bringing about the social development. Seminars and other kinds of awareness programs are conducted by various bodies to spread awareness about the issues related to health, education, political rights, social evils, prevention of crimes etc.
In short, there can be socio economic growth in a society only when all the citizens are educated on the issues relevant to them. Non formal education is one important and effective ways to educate them and should be promoted.