Background and Introduction
Education is a manifold concept which not only influence the advancements economically but also mentally, socially and emotionally. It builds up a bridge between new earnings and its application in a daily life by learning the transparency between right and wrong, justice and injustice and primarily the rules for dos and don’ts. It gives mostly the personal development of an individual towards betterment. Education undoubtedly gives the economic independence but it gives the independence to participate in the development of a better community. Its a natural phenomenon that if one has financial resources more than its family requirement it starts supporting other under privileged in many ways. Education has a significance based on its diverse concept of learning new things. Many consider it a formal confined in systematic way of learning, on the other hand, many thinks that learning the live skills, values and getting knowledge outside the walls and certain curriculum is also education.
Acquiring knowledge is not modern-day precondition for the survival of mankind. It is a requirement since the universe formation. It is unavoidable to teach the generations about the primitive cultures of education and the curriculum which was comprised of cultural values, tribal values, myths, philosophy, history, rituals and other related knowledge. All the civilizations had the education prioritized in any profile. The earliest education was mainly through priests. They were not only teaching humanities but very practical subjects of science, law, mathematics, medicine and geometry. It was developed further by other civilizations with more focus on writing, reading and higher learnings in law and astrology. It is evident from the history that there was only the concept of formal education existed at that time. There were two types of formal schools for privileged youth and the priest trainees. In history, the formal schools were also particularly for priests to be trained and these schools were handed over later on under the control of priests. So, thinly the concept of formal education was there with some discrimination to the general public because of the existence of social classes. Where poor were at the lower social class and designated only for the lower jobs. In addition, They were not allowed to opt for the luxury of education and learning new subjects outside their casts.
There is a history of education which can be traced back to evolution of the formal learning and teaching knowledge and skills till the present day. As the societies or civilization grew into more complexity the need to formalize the education system became more official. In early 21st century, the idea of different types of education system was flourished that only formal ways of education can not serve the purpose of development and growth which should be able to serve all classes of societies. With the passage of development there were alternative e ways of education through internet communication since late 20th century. The doors of internet open diverse opportunities for people of all ages and classes to tap down the knowledge base of education and training regarding any area or subject of life. It has also educated the people to learn in social families. It promoted the distance learning without the face-to-face contact of teachers. It was beneficial for the learnings in a broader sense but also questioned the socialization and self confidence of the students.
With every passing civilization the significance of education becoming enormously prominent. It was challenging to transfer knowledge, values and culture from one generation to another through simple ways. More formal ways were designed which resulted in formal education system, four walls of institution and an expert or teacher in a subject. As the societies grew more complex the education system became more focused on particular subject area and other live skills related to development of overall better human which was neglected by sheer quantity before. Consequently, the education system flourish into more modern and formal system as of today starting from kindergarten incorporating the mental and emotional needs, realizing the social bonding etc. Which is strongly backed by informal and non formal ways of education.
Definition
WIKIPEDIA states education as the transmission of knowledge, character traits and skills and manifests in various forms. It further states “A process of acquiring knowledge through study or imparting the knowledge by way of instructions or some other practical procedure”. So, it is clear that “education is the way to achieve knowledge to understand the goals in life and the better way to achieve it”. In general, education means different for every individual in the society. Many thinks its a systematic advancement towards achieving methods and framework within the boundaries of a building which incorporate certain methods, curriculum and expertise to teach new subjects to someone. It gives the categoric excellence in any professional field of society.
Types of Education
Types of education are as follow;
- Formal education
- Informal education and
- Non formal education
- Formal Education
Formal education is a planned and deliberate efforts which involves a premises or a building where a set pattern of studies is being offered. Formal education comprised of often school uniform, certain rules of start and end timing and a certain curriculum to follow. Formal education system has a proper examination system to fulfill the hierarchal stages by the students.
Formal education is designed in chronological order, The small children generally start from kindergarten or nurseries to build their foundation. Then there are primary, secondary and higher stages. The higher education generally bifurcates the students according to their interest and excellence towards their goals in life. These stages end up with the certificates or degrees. The under graduates makes their ways in graduate programs and it take the individuals to the ultimate goals they have set for them selves to achieve. In the formal education, there are practical at the laboratories where they get hands knowledge of the theory, there are formal visit arrangement to different organization or historical places, social institutes etc to get the direct experience and correlation of book and ground realties.
The formal education provider must always be a specialist with certain degrees in the subject and also trained in techniques to tackle psychologically the children or adult education seekers. Many institutions hire the experienced staff for these designated positions with prior trainings. Now a days, as the significance of training is so much thought about so the institutions provide these on job trainings to better understand the psychology of the small children in accord to their nature.
The modern researches shows that the formal education must be packed with the physical education or sports, drama and gardening clubs, literary clubs and even the cooking clubs at schools, they consider the fact the if an individual is physically and mentally strong, they can preform well in the areas of formal education.
Formal education system is government based because it is the responsibility of the governments to provide education to the masses. It has an administrative staff available during the institute’s daily timing in order to provide safe and secure environment to the students and teaching staff. Only governments have the structural frameworks to handle all the above at the enormous level.
Advantages of Formal Education
The most important advantage of the formal education is that it is organised in a model where learners obtain knowledge from subject specialists and trained teachers. It has a pre-designed system of examination which takes the students to another level of their educational journey. It is completed with certificates and degrees which is a must to go prerequisite for the job of one’s preferred choice.
Disadvantages of Formal Education
The most considerate disadvantage of formal education is that it is a long and time taking process for one to achieve its financial goals. As it is a standardise program and at the end of the session or mid session a student may fail the subject so it is the waste of time to resume or retake the subject. Socially, when under privileged children who opt formal education as a way to achieve their dreams of financial independence thinks it a long way to go and wastage of minimal money they have. Resultantly, they drop out to find a financial short cut. It is also an inflexible system and no one can omit any stage of it.
Formal and non-Formal education are further categorized into levels;
- Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education is considered to be educating young kids for the development and growth. It is also called per school and kindergarten. It begins from birth to five years of age.
- Primary Education
It is the first compulsory stage of formal education, after pre school and kindergarten. It is also known as elementary school. It is given to the children of age 6- 11 years. This stage is critically important as the coming up education is based on it. As it is the foundation of education, the success or failure depends on it.
- Secondary Education
A secondary school is also known as the high school and it serves the ages 12 – 15 years. The purpose of secondary education provides broad basis of knowledge of different subjects and critical thinking skills which can prepare the learners for higher education or workforce.
- Tertiary Education
It is also known as the third level or post secondary education. This can include vocational trainings, college degrees and higher education also associated with the scholarly studies.
- Informal Education
On the contrary to formal education, informal education is not a pre-planned and deliberate effort of getting knowledge and learning skills according to any timetable. It is not transmitted on the set and prescribed methods and syllabus. It can be learned from multiple sources be it media, family, community friends and other experience in the surrounding. Informal education is beyond boundaries, rules and schedule. It can be acquired out side the books and it doesn’t need trained and professional teachers. The student doesn’t need to pass any examination or assessments to get a certificate or a degree at the end. It has no financial investment in order to attain it.
On the other hand, the informal education can also be recognised as a live skill. It can be learning other skills like; learning different languages from the community or family environment. Many of us does electrical or mechanical chores ourselves without getting any diploma or training in a certain subject. Many people around the community can read newspapers and books but they are not passed out from any formal education system. Informal education basically consists of experiences in the family or living in the community alike. It is a spontaneous type of learning which can be done randomly anywhere from any one. It does not have a set stage from kindergarten to graduate level, it is a lifelong process in a natural way. Its a stress-free process of gaining new skills and knowledge without certain grades.
Advantages of Informal Education
The most important advantage is that it involves efforts based on personal interests related to any subject to either get it from books, internet, libraries or any other experienced source, it is natural process which can be acquired anywhere from anywhere without getting time bound or syllabus confined. Informal education is free from financial burden so, it can be enjoyable in the process of researching. In the era of social medial as today, there is no need to pay to an expert professional to learn from, their material of work is available free of cost.
Disadvantages of Informal Education
Informal Learners get information regarding their topic of interests from internet but there is a sea of unguarded information and to find authentic information might be compromised. It might be the wastage of time as there is no time limit for researching and learning so it takes a lot of time. At the end of the research as there is no expert or professional involved so the knowledge or practice learned might not be the evaluated As in the formal education system the learner has to follow a discipline and planned syllabus so the learner is confident that the direction is in right way but informal learners put efforts to discipline themselves in order to safe time and get the correct knowledge in a reasonable timespan.
- Non-Formal Education
The non formal education is very likely to formal education in respect that it is well designed and planned. It is delivered by systematic and deliberate efforts. It is mainly organized for same identified group of people in terms of age, interests, needs and social class. The difference is that it is not within the boundaries of the building. Its timetable and syllabus to follow is framed flexible and adjustable, which encourages the learners to earn and learn at the same time. It includes adult literacy, basic education, vocational trainings and school equivalent education. It also encourages the physical fitness programs through distance learning such as the recorded programs and videos on social media are free of cost or/ at affordable prices. These are free of cost programs mostly through community learning programs, non governmental organizations, computer-based programs through internet and distance learning as home learning programs or remote programs. It may be full time or part time so the learners can learn in their own adjusted time. At the end of the session, it is not always necessary to pass assessments or get certificates of degrees, it all depends on the sort of program the learner has opted for. If it is an academic remote program then it is very likely to bag a degree, diploma or certificate for learned curriculum. Through different mediums, it is learned by professional experts so it involves the learning of professional skills in many ways. The most significant aspect of non formal education is that it is not theoretical based more of it is skill based and the learner get trained in any area, so, they get hands on knowledge of the practical and applicable side of the knowledge.
Advantages of Non-Formal Education
It is so advantageous because it is practical based which is directly applicable in the society either to earn money to further lend the services to the community. It is more of a natural because it is learning and growing skills without waiting for a certain program to complete. Besides, it encourages the self learning process. As contrary to the formal education it does not have age limit, timetable and curriculum to follow and reach to a certain level. This system does not wait for the governments to design and implement the education system in a certain way its the product of public and private partnership which promote the community services as. The learners feel encouraged to join the programs that they have to learn in their own capacity and reach to a conclusion that they learned for which they were aiming and they do no required any assessments or examination at the end of the program. For the provider’s point of view, it is also beneficial for them because they do not have to provide certificates, diplomas or degrees after certain level of assessments which is a relief for them from time boundaries and shown extra ordinary commitments. So, both ends are progressing towards their targets with a free mind.
Disadvantages of Non-Formal Education
As it is free from the time boundaries and the learners has to do it in their own time so the provider cannot make the attendance steady. Some learners do not find it motivational when they see that there will be no certificates or diplomas at the end of the program. They also do not take it seriously when there are no examination or assessments at the end. At the adult literacy programs, it is not easy to learn the basic reading and writing skills after a certain time and age. The teachers involved mostly are not the professional teachers so they do not have the skills to provide the learnings as per rules of learning academically. Going to formal education is a disciplined life style where the learners enjoy the daily routine where they can make new friends, personality development and motivation to maintain a healthy routine but in non formal education the learners do not feel confidence or able to boost their confidence as they do not have to face others. Resultantly, they fail to develop analytical and critical skill. In today’s times, as all the available information is not authentic similarly, the online distance learning programs are sometimes fake backed by earning.
Conclusion
The article is concluded on the focus of education, its importance and types of education which are formal, informal and non formal education. It is to state that all three types of education is indispensable to develop into a bright person inside out and a responsible citizen to a country. By formal education brings prosperity to one’s life and also share their part in the development community. Informal and non formal education shine the personality side by side to formal education. This can influence a healthy relationship among all the family members and community as a whole.
Education is a gradual process of optimistic change and this occurs after decades in human behaviour towards the human development as a whole.
The government, community and family must strive together towards education through any type of education. There are few tips that should be considered to attain three types of education by every individual:
- Get educated or trained from an institution with at least minimum facilities of practical studies.
- Encourage self assessments
- Always raise questions regarding issues and learn making alternate ways of sorting it out.
- Focus on observation around the community.
- Ask for solutions or discussions with trusted adults around the family or institution.
- Research properly before getting knowledge from any online resource.
- Research from different sources like social media, news paper or in person consultations.
- Try to learn new things or skills related to daily chores.
- Always volunteer to help academic problems or daily life.
- Always remember practice will make you practice.
- Volunteer to get training on anything challenging in free slots of time.
It encourages every one to strive to develop their skills and abilities to transform into a better being. Undoubtedly, education is the best and precious enlightenment to any mind out there. Besides, these opportunities must be provided to other fellows of community to make them beneficial part of the society.