What is non-formal education? Write the features of non-formal education.
What is non-formal education? Write the features of non-formal education.
Definition and features of non-formal education.
Non-formal education:-
The concept of non-formal education has been developed since the middle of the 20th century. Its main objective was to make education open to all levels of students by combining controlled or formal education with informal education. Non-formal education is not extremely controlled and strictly disciplined like formal education, nor is it completely unregulated like informal education. The four main components of education - students, teachers, curriculum and school - are all part of non-formal education but there are some fundamental differences between it and formal education.
Features / Characteristics of non-formal education:-
1. Flexibility: -
Although all the elements of formal education such as curriculum, teaching, assessment and evaluation, classroom attendance, etc. are present in non-formal education, it is much more flexible compared to formal education. Learners who are not comfortable with the rigors of formal education can benefit from non-formal education.
2. No fixed time limit: -
There is no fixed time limit in non-formal education. Here, the student can study at any time according to his convenience. In non-formal education, regular attendance at school and participation in studies is not mandatory like in formal education.
3. No specific age limit: -
There is no specific age limit in non-formal education. Students can participate in studies at any age. As a result, non-formal education is particularly effective for students who could not receive formal education at a certain age for some reason.
4. Lifelong learning:-
Non-formal learning can be undertaken at any time throughout life; therefore, non-formal education is a lifelong process. Here, students can learn according to their needs at any age in life.
5. Role of the teacher:-
The role of the teacher in non-formal education is not like that of formal education. In this case, the teacher does not conduct education in the classroom. In non-formal education, the teacher prepares 'study material' and various modules keeping in mind specific goals and objectives. Students can learn from those 'study material' and various modules themselves.
6. Specific curriculum:-
Non-formal education has a specific curriculum like formal education. Like formal education, these curricula are prepared keeping in mind the different needs and development of the students.
7. Different forms:-
The two main forms of non-formal education are - distance education and open education. In distance education, students study by collecting various study materials from educational institutions. On the other hand, in open education, students have to go to educational institutions one or two days a week and in this case, too, study is conducted through study materials.
8. Self-learning: -
In non-formal education, students have to adopt the principle of self-learning. In non-formal education, there is no help from a teacher in studying; the student has to learn by himself.
9. Financial issues: -
There is a financial issue associated with non-formal education. However, the cost of non-formal education is quite low. In non-formal education, there is no need to build one's own school building, a large number of textbooks are not required, teachers do not have to pay huge salaries and the cost is also quite low in various other areas.
10. Textbooks: -
In non-formal education, study materials and modules are created instead of textbooks. These are created by qualified teachers. As a result, there is no room for doubt about the quality of the study materials and modules of non-formal education.
11. Varied curriculum: -
The presence of diverse curricula can be observed in non-formal education. Here, students can choose the curriculum according to their needs and demands from among the diverse and versatile curricula.
12. Use of technology: -
Currently, technology has started to be widely used in non-formal education. Due to the use of technology, the subject matter has become easy and clear for the students.
13. Opportunities for education: -
In formal education, the number of seats is limited. As a result, many students do not get the opportunity to get admission in higher education. But this problem does not exist in non-formal education. Any number of students can be admitted in distance education and open education.
14. Education for all: -
In a word, non-formal education is for everyone. Students of any age and ability can participate in non-formal education. Age, distance, financial status, professional background, etc. are not barriers.
15. Human Resource Development:-
Human resource development occurs in non-formal education. Students who are deprived of higher education due to the rules of controlled education, easily improve their human resource by pursuing higher education through non-formal education and their productivity increases.
0 comments