Formal and Non-formal education

---

Formal education: involves structured, systematic learning typically conducted in educational institutions like schools, colleges, and universities. It follows a prescribed curriculum and adheres to standardized methods of assessment. Students receive formal qualifications, such as diplomas and degrees, upon successful completion of their studies.

Non-formal education: encompasses educational activities that occur outside the traditional school system. It includes community education, workshops, seminars, and online courses. This type of education is often more flexible and tailored to specific needs or interests, focusing on practical skills and knowledge rather than formal qualifications.

@Shazia-Baloch

As both systems have potential impacts and drawbacks, I really would like to listen to our teachers' opinion:

Should a school maintain its rigorous formal curriculum that usually ensures high academic performance, or integrate non-formal education methods to foster creativity and real-world skills at the risk of potentially lower test scores?

Please share your thoughts

@Ana_moderator Hi Ana in my point of view
The decision between maintaining a rigorous formal curriculum and integrating non-formal education methods involves balancing the benefits of both approaches.
Rigorous Formal Curriculums
Structured and standardized teaching often leads to higher test scores and better performance on academic benchmarks.
Provides a consistent educational experience across different classes and schools.
Prepares students for standardized tests required for college admissions and certain career paths
Non-Formal Education Methods:
Encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Provides practical skills and experiences relevant to everyday life and future careers.
Can increase student engagement and motivation through hands-on and experiential learning. I think as a teacher we should balance both approach .
A balanced approach can often provide the best of both worlds. Schools can maintain a strong academic foundation while incorporating non-formal education methods to enhance creativity and real-world skills.

@Ana_moderator dear integrating non-formal education methods can be very beneficial for developing creativity and real-world skills. . While this approach may lead to slightly lower test scores! it helps students gain essential skills that aren't always measured by standardized tests. ..! A focus on non-formal methods can prepare students better for diverse life challenges and future careers...

@Ana_moderator Hello dear Ana,

It is very difficult question to answer, but sharing my views is essential. I think this is a key issue in education. Balancing a rigorous curriculum with non-formal methods can help maintain high academic performance while also fostering creativity and real-world skills. Combining both approaches might be the best way to prepare students comprehensively.

What are your thoughts on how schools can achieve this balance?
Please few words from your insights...

Regards

@Shazia-Baloch Exactly mam,you can focus the main target,that era most important formal as well as non formal education in our society.Actully in Pakistan in rural areas there is no concept of non formal education,we must go with parallel formal education as like non formal education.We go with justice every citizen need the basic education,live in city or village,we must focus that era for betterment of smooth society

@Ana_moderator It would be better to adopt a balanced approach. The school should maintain its formal curriculum to ensure high academic performance while also integrating non-formal educational methods to foster student's skills.
Hope answer the question.

@Ana_moderator hi I feel both systems are extremely important to impart. The key difference is Clear the non formal system helps in distance education . It fosters the system of education that is for all. This system helps in vocational teaching and learning process also helps in adults education classes ultimately it emphasis more on buildingpractical skills.

@RASHEED-ULLAH Thank you for your insight. I understand the importance of addressing both formal and non-formal education, especially in rural areas where non-formal options are limited. I appreciate your emphasis on this issue .

Learning by doing is a theory that places heavy emphasis on student engagement and is a hands-on, task-oriented, process to education.[1] The theory refers to the process in which students actively participate in more practical and imaginative ways of learning. This process distinguishes itself from other learning approaches as it provides many pedagogical advantages to more traditional learning styles, such those which privilege inert knowledge.[2] Learning-by-doing is related to other types of learning such as adventure learning, action learning, cooperative learning, experiential learning, peer learning, service-learning, and situated learning.

@Sehar-Kazi hello dear yes learning by doing is practical learning a famous saying is what i hear i forget i see i remember i do i understand.

Thank you all for your opinions! I personally believe in balance as well, as I am not a teacher but a teacher educator I work on integrating some non-formal education instruments into formal education system and see the positive effects.

In your countries, where do you get these non-formal education techniques? Are there any special programmes? How did you initially find out about non-formal education?

@Ana_moderator , I think there should be a balanced approach that gives the strength to both educational methods, it could be the most effective way to give a well rounded education to our students to prepare them in all aspects of life.

@MJANKb9ddefc9b1 Well said.

@Ana_moderator Hello maam , In my country Pakistan. The present study was aimed to assess the performance of the non-formal basic education (NFBE) schools project initiated in the province of Punjab with the assistance of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). The study was conducted in 120 NFBE schools in four districts of Punjab. It was a survey study in which data were collected from female teachers, officers of NFBE, students and their parents. 100 NFBE school teachers, 20 officers of NFBE schools and 500 students and their parents participated in the study. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. It was found that the project is achieving its targets as planned. It was also found that drop-out rates were higher and the teachers were not satisfied with their job structure. It was further concluded that a proper media campaign may be initiated to mobilize the community. The study recommended that learning materials may be developed in the regional languages.

@Ana_moderator Hi there,

@Ana_moderator said in Formal and Non-formal education:

In your countries, where do you get these non-formal education techniques? Are there any special programmes? How did you initially find out about non-formal education?

Yes Ana, in Pakistan, non-formal education methods come from local community programs, NGOs, and online sites. Allama Iqbal Open University, Univerity of Sindh Jamshoro, Virtual University and many other universities also provide flexible learning options. Websites like Coursera and edX offer additional resources for learning. These methods help improve education outside of regular schools.

I initially learned about non-formal education from our senior teachers. They introduced me to different community programs and flexible learning options. I haven't explored online platforms myself, but I understand they offer additional resources for learning.

Regards